Influence of Size and Shape of ZnO Photocatalysts in Natural Rubber Latex Foam on Antibacterial Applications

Natural rubber latex foam was made using the Dunlop technique. Zinc oxide photocatalysts were used as fillers in the latex foam. In the rubber foam preparation step, the time for rubber mixing was varied (i.e., 2, 4, 6, and 8 min). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to study the morphology and chemical structure of the rubber foam. Different sizes and shapes of zinc oxide (i.e., particles with diameters of 50 nm, 100 nm, 300 nm, and 400 nm and wires with a 50 nm diameter and 1 mm long) were studied. Compression properties and antibacterial ability in both dark and light conditions were investigated. It was found that the rubber foam with zinc oxide in smaller diameters has more ability to resist infection for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.