Investigation of Industrial Polyurethane Foams Modified with Antimicrobial Copper Nanoparticles

Antimicrobial copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were electrosynthetized and applied to the controlled impregnation of industrial polyurethane foams used as padding in the textile production or as filters for air conditioning systems. CuNP-modified materials were investigated and characterized morphologic...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maria Chiara Sportelli, Rosaria Anna Picca, Roberto Ronco, Elisabetta Bonerba, Giuseppina Tantillo, Mauro Pollini, Alessandro Sannino, Antonio Valentini, Tommaso R.I. Cataldi, Nicola Cioffi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-07-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
XPS
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/9/7/544
Description
Summary:Antimicrobial copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were electrosynthetized and applied to the controlled impregnation of industrial polyurethane foams used as padding in the textile production or as filters for air conditioning systems. CuNP-modified materials were investigated and characterized morphologically and spectroscopically, by means of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The release of copper ions in solution was studied by Electro-Thermal Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (ETAAS). Finally, the antimicrobial activity of freshly prepared, as well as aged samples—stored for two months—was demonstrated towards different target microorganisms.
ISSN:1996-1944