Preparation and Determination of Antimicrobial Property of Cation-Exchanged Ecuadorian Natural Zeolite to be Used as Filler for Polyethylene and Polypropylene Matrices

Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with nanoporous structure, tasteless and non-toxic materials. In this study, silver ion-exchanged zeolite, which was prepared from the natural Ecuadorian zeolites was used as reinforcement material in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Polymers were filled with 1, 2 and 3 wt% concentrations of natural zeolite (Z) and silver ion exchanged zeolite (ZA). Zeolites and composites were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical analysis techniques. Microbiological analysis of silver ion exchanged zeolite showed effective antibacterial property against Escherichia coli bacteria. PP/ZA composites showed better tensile strengths in all mixes comparing to pure PP. ZAPE2 and ZAPP1 showed the best mechanical properties among all the composites based on polyethylene and PP, respectively. The composites prepared are potential candidates to be used in food packaging, and ZA type zeolites can be used as filler for the preparation of various composites.