Biosynthesis of Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Vitis vinifera L. Extract and Their Incorporation Into a High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Matrix

ABSTRACT This study describes the production of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by green synthesis from Vitis vinifera L. extract and their incorporation into HIPS to finally prepare nanocomposites. AgNO 3 , ZnCl 2 and (Zn(O 2 CCH 3 ) 2 ) were used as metal precursors. The FTIR spectra of Ag NPs revealed that several organic compounds impregnated them; meanwhile, ZnO NPs exhibit a Zn‐O characteristic band. The x‐ray diffractometer revealed intense peaks that corresponded to the fcc structural features of Ag and the wurtzite phase to ZnO. DLS determined the size of the NPs with monomodal curves for both materials; the average size was 179 nm for AgNPs, while ZnO showed 324 nm. Nanocomposites based on high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) containing metallic NPs of silver and zinc oxide (AgNPs and ZnO NPs) with 0.5% and 1.5% concentration were prepared without essential changes in %gel. The most relevant changes occurred in impact resistance properties and elastic modulus when the filler was incorporated into the polymer matrix. MFI and glass transition do not present significant variations after composite preparation.