Abstract

Copper nanoparticles were in situ synthesized into a polypropylene matrix in the melt state. Three different routes were studied depending on the method used for the addition of a copper salt: (1) directly as powder; (2) dissolved in water; and (3) dissolved in water with a reducing agent. The first route produced microcrystal, whereas the second route allowed the synthesis of nanoparticles (approximate to 20 nm) homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. By changing the concentration of the reducing agent in the copper solution (third route), a control of the copper structure in the polymer was possible and salt-based or metal/oxide nanoparticles could be obtained. All these composites were able to release copper ions depending on the characteristic of the nanoparticles present in the polymer. Noteworthy, the resulting polymer/copper composites displayed strong antimicrobial behavior against Escherichia coli. (c) 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3406-3411, 2014