Revealing the Influence of the Shape, Size, and Aspect Ratio of ZnO Nanoparticles on Antibacterial and Mechanical Performance of Cellulose Fibers Based Paper

Abstract The discovery and characterization of nanoparticles represent a multidisciplinary issue. Their properties and applications within many fields depend on their size, shape, aspect ratio, and so on. No single methodology can currently analyze all characteristics and reveal their influence on the specific performance. Here, antibacterial and mechanical properties are investigated of three different ZnO nanoparticles (cubes, rods, and pellets) incorporated in the cellulose matrix in order to examine the correlation between the physical and chemical characteristics and antibacterial/mechanical activities. Therefore, various particles of ZnO with different sizes, shapes, and aspect ratios are synthesized via simple precipitation method in an aqueous solution and evaluated as an antimicrobial agent against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative model bacteria alongside the commercial ZnO powder. The bactericidal activity is evaluated as prepared cellulose/ZnO nanocomposites in the form of paper sheets. Additionally, the tests of mechanical properties of the fabricated paper sheets are carried out according to ISO 5270 standard. Microscopic and spectroscopic methods are utilized to investigate the psychic‐chemical properties of the products. This study highlights that there is a strong impact of the shape, size, and aspect ratio of ZnO particles on the antibacterial efficacy and mechanical response of the fabricated cellulose‐based paper.