Abstract :

: It is easier to exhibit appropriate mechanical and chemical properties when nano-zinc oxides are introduced to polymers as reinforcement, generating a completely flexible designed composite. Polymer mixtures are a vital component in the management of novel materials, which excel above net polymers in terms of characteristics. Polymer blends are able to provide substances with long-lasting beneficial properties, which is different from what can be achieved with a single polymer equivalent. In this study, modified zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) reinforced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforcement was tested to see how varied filler loadings (0.1–0.7 wt %) would affect the mechanical, melt rheological, and antibacterial performances. UHMWPE and 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane-modified nano-ZnO were combined to create UHMWPE/nZnO nanocomposites utilizing a dry mechanical ball mill and compression molding. The study's conclusions revealed that the UHMWPE nanocomposites' mechanical properties were improved by the addition of modified nano-ZnO. The tensile properties, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, compressive modulus, elongation at break, and Vickers microhardness, were altered by the concentration of modified nano-ZnO. As filler loading was increased, the compressive strength and modulus, tensile modulus, and Vickers micro-hardness of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites all improved. When nano-ZnO was added to UHMWPE, the tensile strength and elongation at break were yet reduced. The maximum tensile strength and elongation at break were achieved with modified nano-ZnO at a concentration of 0.5 wt%. The nanocomposites showed promising antibacterial activity when tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The low doped level of modified nano-ZnO in the UHMWPE matrix led to a little increase in the melt viscosity of the composites.