Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Physical Chemistry

Polypropylene (PP) film activated by corona discharge treatment was grafted with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid (AA). The grafted PP was characterized by spectral, thermal analysis and swelling behavior which confirmed the occurrence of the grafting. The water vapor and oxygen permeability (OTR and WVTR) as well as the mechanical properties have been enhanced by grafting with both AA and MMA. The grafted PP was further immobilized with chitosan (Cs) using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator under ultraviolet radiation. Successful surface modification of PP with Cs was confirmed by FTIR, mechanical properties, thermal properties and swelling measurements. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed that the CS is bonded to the grafted PP film. The biocidal activity of the resultant surfaces was tested against the bacteria Escherichia coli and staphylocccusaureusas well as fusariumoxysporum, F. solani , F. monilforme, verticilliumalbootrum, alternariaalternata, cladosporiumherbarum, aspergillus niger, A.flavus, A. terreusand A. ochraceus as fungi. The Cs modified PP film has acquired enhanced antibacterial and antifungal properties. The results suggest that the prepared modified surface PP possess good visual and mechanical characteristics and have great potential for acting efficiently as antimicrobial agent carriers in packaging systems

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