Obtaining antimicrobial polymer composites based on copper oxide nanoparticles for sports medical devices.

Abstract The beneficial effects of using antimicrobial materials in eliminating or inhibiting microbial proliferation on surfaces are well known, thus contributing to reducing the risk of diseases resulting from accidents involving pathogenic microorganisms. The addition of certain metal particles in various proportions, (for example, silver, copper, or their oxides), in polymer matrices represents an effective method for producing new high-quality antimicrobial materials. In this study, the aim was to obtain a polymer/copper oxide composite with superior biocidal behaviour by using proportions ranging from 3-10% of copper oxides and polymers with different characteristics. The composites were prepared by melt mixing at various temperatures, durations, and homogenization speeds. Subsequently, the necessary samples for investigations were obtained through thermoforming. To evaluate the composite, tests were performed to determine mechanical characteristics, to verify the uniformity of particles in the composite material, and to test antimicrobial efficacy. The results demonstrated that the PP/CuO composite exhibited improved properties compared to pure polymers. These obtained characteristics recommend its potential use in medical devices for prevention or protection (examples include finger, ankle, or tendon prostheses), which can be produced through additive manufacturing or thermoforming.