Abstract: We fabricated a superhydrophobic modifed ZnO/PVC nanocomposite cluster with antibacterial properties using the chemical precipitation method and selected solvent/non-solvent (THF/ethanol) to PVC. The efects of ethanol content (47%, 50%, 53%, and 56%) on nanocomposite morphology and Water Contact Angles (WCAs) were investigated. XRD measurements confrmed the polycrystalline structure of ZnO with a wurtzite hexagonal phase, and EDX results indicated the presence of all element peaks. FESEM analysis of specimens revealed a rough surface structure resembling a cluster of NPs, and that structure was dominant when the ethanol content increased to 56%. The WCA increased on the superhydrophobic nanocomposite as ethanol content increased, and an optimum WCA (160°±2°) was obtained at an ethanol content of 56%. Antibacterial activity was tested on the superhydrophobic and hydrophobic states, and the superhydrophobic specimens showed good inhibition against Klebsiella spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis. However, the hydrophobic specimens demonstrated no antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis. These promising results can inform the development of nanocomposites for many environmental applications.

Key words: ZnO, PVC, Superhydrophobicity, Antibacterial, WCA