A polyimide complex system decorated with ZnO nanorods with multiple antibacterial effects

Abstract

The application of nanoscale materials with antibacterial properties is becoming more and more popular in everyday life. A kind of novel film with antibacterial and anti-mildew properties was synthesized via exposing nano-ZnO particles on the surfaces of polyimide films. The nano-ZnO particles were characterized based on SEM micrographs and X-ray diffraction spectra, and the results showed that the nano-ZnO particles in the novel films had hexagonal fibrous zinc structures. The sizes and heights of the nano-ZnO arrays were controllable. The average size of the nano-ZnO arrays ranged from 5 to 80 nm, and the average height ranged from 4.0 to 6.5 μm. The novel films were characterized based on thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical performance testing. The thermal stability properties of the novel films were good and were similar to those of the original films. The four representative strains Colibacillus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, and Chaetomium globosum were selected for antibacterial and anti-mildew testing. A three-layer seed layer of polyimide nano-ZnO film showed excellent antibacterial and anti-mildew properties.