Starch-based polyurethane/CuO nanocomposite foam: Antibacterial effects for infection control

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polyurethane foams (PUFs) are widely used but can harbor microbes.
• Developing antimicrobial materials is crucial for healthcare settings.
• Starch offers a sustainable and abundant resource for material modification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel open-cell flexible polyurethane foams (PUFs) with antimicrobial properties.
• To investigate the use of starch powder as a cell opener and CuO NPs as antimicrobial agents.
• To optimize foam properties for potential use in hospital mattresses.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) via thermal degradation at varying temperatures.
• Modification of closed-cell PUF formulation using starch powder.
• Antimicrobial activity testing of CuO NPs and commercial CuO powder.
• Optimization of foam tensile strength using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• Characterization of CuO NPs and PUF using XRD, TEM, SEM, and FT-IR.

Main Results:

• CuO NPs synthesized at 600°C (CuO₆₀₀) demonstrated the most effective antimicrobial activity.
• Starch powder acted as an effective cell opener, enhancing the open-cell structure of PUFs.
• The optimized PUFs exhibited high tensile strength and efficient antimicrobial properties.
• Characterization confirmed the successful synthesis and structural integrity of the materials.

Conclusions:

• A novel method for producing open-cell flexible PUFs with enhanced tensile strength and antimicrobial activity was successfully developed.
• The developed PUFs, incorporating starch and CuO NPs, are suitable for applications like antimicrobial hospital mattresses.
• This research contributes to the development of advanced materials for infection control in healthcare environments.