Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer with daylight-induced antibacterial and antiviral functions was prepared by incorporating vitamin K3 into EVA during a blending process. Vitamin K3 was recently investigated and identified as a photo-sensitizer theoretically and experimentally, which can effectively generate hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, representative reactive oxygen species (ROS) under daylight exposure.  The generated ROS agents are biocides that can quickly and complete kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms and safe to human, environment, and potentially applicable in food packaging materials. EVA polymer is a common material employed in food packages for prevention of oxygen penetration through the films. The EVA and VK 3 blends (EVA/VK3 polymers) were processed into films with desired mechanical and optical properties, as well as with desired antibacterial and antiviral functions.  The photo-active functions and antimicrobial performances were quantified by using analytical chemical and microbiological methods.  Reusability of the photo-active functions were demonstrated.   The results revealed that the EVA/VK3 could be a potential food packaging material to produce reduced biological contamination and transmission.

Reusable and daylight induced antibacterial ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer films

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