A high-density polyethylene container based on ZnO/lignin dual fillers with potential antimicrobial activity

Dual ZnO/lignin hybrid fillers were obtained and subjected to detailed physicochemical and morphological-microstructural analysis. The effectiveness of combination of the components was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was shown that the addition of zinc oxide improves the thermal stability of the final hybrid filler. A hybrid material consisting of ZnO and lignin in a weight ratio of 1:5 exhibited very good antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria (in both of the tested genera: Staphylococcus and Bacillus). In all cases, the action of this material was stronger than that of the positive control, the antibiotic tetracycline. Blow-molded containers made of polyethylene containing 5 wt% of ZnO/lignin with different lignin contents were prepared with a single-screw extruder. The effect of ZnO/lignin hybrid fillers on the properties of a high-density polyethylene container was investigated by means of a uniaxial compression test. Mechanical tests demonstrated a significant twofold increase in the compression force for blends with a ZnO:lignin ratio of 1:5. Additionally, DSC analysis was performed to study the influence of the dual fillers on the microstructure of the blended polyethylene.