Biodegradability, antibacterial properties, and ultraviolet protection of polyvinyl alcohol‐natural polyphenol blends

Abstract Polymer films of tea polyphenol (TP)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by a solution casting. The films were studies for intermolecular interactions by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the shifts in the major signals of IR for OH and CO absorption, and with varied intensities in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicated intermolecular hydrogen bonded interaction between PVA and TP. The biodegradability of the PVA/TP blends is measured by soil burial test, the percentage weight loss of the PVA/TP blends increased with increasing TP content. And the antibacterial activity of PVA/TP blends was determined by shake flask test and three kinds of bacteria used were as follows: Staphylcoccus aures, Escherichia coli, and Proteus valgaris. The blends exhibit strong antibacterial activity against the three kinds of bacteria. According to the Australia/New Zealand standard, AS/NZS 4399:1996, the ultraviolet protective properties of the PVA/TP blends were evaluated and the result shows that the capacity of the ultraviolet protection for blends was extremely increased by adding TP to PVA. And all blends reach the highest level (50+) of the standard. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers