Title
Polycarbonate urethanehydroxypropyl cellulose membranes with zinc oxide nanoparticles
Authors
STELIAN VLAD LUIZA M. GRADINARU CONSTANTIN CIOBANU DOINA MACOCINSCHI DANIELA FILIP IULIANA SPIRIDON and ROBERT V. GRADINARU

Received January, 2015
Published Volume 49 Issue 9-10 October-December
Keywords polyurethane, cellulose derivative, nanoparticles, antibacterial activity

Abstract
Polycarbonate urethane-hydroxypropyl cellulose (PCU-HPC) membranes were synthesized and the impact of adding progressive amounts of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, wetting and antibacterial properties of the membranes was investigated. Materials characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic vapour sorption (DVS), contact angle (CA) and mechanical testing. Results showed that Young’s modulus and tensile strength increased, while elongation at break decreased. All membranes presented good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.