The use of silver as an antimicrobial agent has exhibited great interest in recent years. In this research, poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH)–silver acetate‐based antimicrobial materials were prepared at high temperature by reactive extrusion. Silver acetates were used without pretreatment. The thermal reaction of silver acetates in the material and their effect on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer were investigated as a function of their concentration. The dispersed silver acetate salts within the EVOH matrix have displayed a significant thermal reaction. This reaction of metallic salts was partial when the extrusion temperature was fixed at 190 °C and completed at 230 °C. The antimicrobial agents also had significant effects on the properties of the matrix. Reductions of glass temperature and storage modulus were observed by the analyses. All the variations were dependent on both the concentration of silver acetate and the extrusion parameters. The antimicrobial activity was studied and demonstrated a promising potential to create an antimicrobial material in a one‐step solvent free extrusion method. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47799.

International audiencePolymer materials with antimicrobial activity are prepared by UV polymerization of acrylate and methacrylate mixture at room temperature. The antimicrobials are silver acetate and copper (II) acetate, used without pretreatment. Their chemical stability in the acrylate matrix and their effect on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer matrix are investigated as a function of their concentration up to 15 wt%. Physico-chemical, thermal, rheological, and morphological analyses as well as the surveillance of metal salts release in aqueous medium are conducted. A significant decrease in the thermal stability of the salts introduced into the acrylate matrix is observed after UV treatment. The metal salts also have significant effects on the properties of the matrix. A plasticization and densification of the material associated with an aggregation of salts up to the percolation at the highest concentration are highlighted. At equal concentrations, the effects are more pronounced in the presence of copper salts. The latter was released more slowly than silver salts from acrylate material