PLA and PP Composite Nonwoven with Antimicrobial Activity for Filtration Applications

Abstract

The PLA (50% wt.)/PP (50% wt.), PLA (47.5% wt.)/PP (47.5% wt.)/paraffin (5% wt.), and PLA (47.25% wt.)/PP (47.25% wt.)/paraffin (5% wt.)/CuO·SiO2(0.5% wt.) composite nonwovens were obtained in one-step process by using the melt-blown technique. Thermal properties (by the DSC method), physicomechanical parameters, specific surface area, the structure (by the SEM method), the elemental analysis (by the EDS method), and susceptibility to hydrolytic degradation (in alkaline and neutral media) were studied for all the obtained nonwovens. The antimicrobial properties of the composite nonwovens were determined by using dynamic contact conditions method, with three kinds of microorganisms applied. The DSC analysis of nonwovens revealed that the mixing of PLA and PP caused the decrease in homogeneity of both polymers, as well as a considerable increase in the PLA crystallization enthalpy. The paraffin and CuO·SiO2addition to PLA/PP nonwoven generally improved the filtration properties and downgraded tensile strength. Among all the tested composite nonwovens, the PLA/PP/paraffin/CuO·SiO2was the most and the PLA/PP/paraffin was the least susceptible to hydrolytic degradation in both media used in the study. The PLA/PP/paraffin/CuO·SiO2composite nonwoven revealed strong antibacterial activity and slight activity against the yeast.

Polymer Materials for Respiratory Protection: Processing, End Use, and Testing Methods

“…The introduction of specific nanomaterials into a polymer matrix can permit the modulation of the polymer properties and introduce new functionalities in the facemask. − Nanotechnology could have an important impact on the current pandemic in different fields, and primarily in development of nanomaterials with modulated properties and with improved filter ability. An interesting example was developed by Latwinska et al combining the common PP with a biobased polymer as polylactid: (PLA) /PP/paraffin/CuO_SiO 2 ; different weight content composites were selected, and a meltblown (MB) process was applied.…”

“…An interesting example was developed by Latwinska et al combining the common PP with a biobased polymer as polylactid: (PLA) /PP/paraffin/CuO_SiO 2 ; different weight content composites were selected, and a meltblown (MB) process was applied. Final results showed improved filtration properties with respect to pristine PP polymers and strong antibacterial properties induced by copper oxide addition and content . Recently, an innovative meltblown technology was used to develop a multifunctional polymer composite based on PP and poly­(ethylene terephthalate), with the introduction of two powdered functional modifiers with different characteristics: a superabsorbent polymer and a biocidal agent.…”

Biofunctionalization of Textile Materials. 2. Antimicrobial Modification of Poly(lactide) (PLA) Nonwoven Fabricsby Fosfomycin

“…Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) presents the routine technique for morphological investigations of polylactide nonwovens, both electrospin PLA [66][67][68][69][70][71] as well as melt-blown PLA [72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81] fibers. Scanning electron microscopy spectra of polylactide nonwoven and polylactide nonwoven coated with Fosfomycin modifier are presented in Figures 2 and 3, respectively.…”

Large-scale preparation of polylactic acid/polyethylene glycol micro/nanofiber fabrics with aligned fibers via a post-drafting melt blown process

“…Hammonds et al [ 15 ] investigated the effects of airflow and DCD on the physical and thermal properties of PLA melt blown fabrics with the aim of meeting specific requirements for tissue scaffolds. Łatwińska et al [ 16 ] used biodegradable polymer PLA and nonbiodegradable polymer PP as raw materials to prepare melt blown fabrics and added CuO·SiO 2 to induce antibacterial properties to apply filter materials. It is clear from the above research that PLA micro/nanofiber fabrics provide a viable option that replaces traditional PP fabrics.…”