Novel high-antimicrobial nano-TiO₂/PP composites and its structure and properties

Based on a novel nano-TiO₂ powder, polypropylene/TiO₂ composites was made by direct melt blending. The morphology, crystallization, mechanical properties, antimicrobial properties and rheological properties of the new composites were investigated. The results showed that the novel TiO₂ nano-powder dispersed well in the PP matrix; the sizes of most agglomerates nearly reached 100 nm; TiO₂ nano-powder could induce the crystallization of PP, however, the crystallinity of PP decreased some; the tensile strength and elongation of composites declined while the modulus and impact strength of composites rose with the increase of the nano-powder loading; nano-TiO₂/PP composites with 2% loading of nano-powder demonstrated an overall excellent mechanical properties. The novel composites had better antimicrobial properties and flow ability than PP due to the degradation of PP caused by the oxidation effect of nano-TiO₂.