Abstract:
Plastic does not decompose easily under natural conditions and the need for degradable polyethylene
has become an important area of research. In this study, the suitability of using cinnamaldehyde, in
its natural and synthetic forms, and benzophenone, as photo oxidative sensitizers were evaluated.
The results showed that oxidative degradation of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) increased
significantly with the incorporation of these materials. Oxidative sensitization increased significantly
with incorporation of natural cinnamaldehyde, Best results for oxidative sensitization were obtained
by incorporation of 20% by mass natural cinnamaldehyde. The polymer composite films were
prepared using a polymer solution in toluene and 2 cm x 2 cm films were caste between glass slides.
10 samples of each type were analyzed. The extent and nature of degradation was evaluated using
FTIR spectroscopy, percentage weight loss and surface analysis techniques. The auto oxidative
degradation of the composite films was carried out by accelerated UV initiated degradation, and
also under natural rooftop conditions. Embrittlement and color development with aging in the
photosensitizer incorporated polymer films were noticeably evident, when compared with the nonincorporated
polymer films under similar conditions. Since polymer films are used for food and
drug packing applications, antibacterial properties of the composite films were evaluated for four
bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778) using agar disc-diffusion method.
Cinnamaldehyde containing composite films displayed significant antibacterial properties against all
four bacterial strains, whereas benzophenone containing films did not show antibacterial properties
against these strains.
