The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of styrene-ethylene/ butylene-styrene based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) incorporated with zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) and silver nanoparticles (AgNano). Japan Industrial Standard was applied to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of incorporated TPE compounds against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Antifungal action was evaluated against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Samples prepared with ZnPT eliminated 99.9% of the E. coli and 99.7 % of the S. aureus population, and presented an inhibition zone in the fungal assay. Samples prepared with AgNano eliminated 99.7% of the E. coli and 95.5 % of the S. aureus population. There was no inhibition zone in samples containing AgNano; however, these samples did not present fungal growth on their surfaces. TPE samples containing ZnPT showed biocidal activity against the microorganisms tested and can be used to develop antimicrobial products.

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Health concerns have driven the production of antimicrobial materials aimed at controlling the spread of diseases. Styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS)-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) incorporated with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) and aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 ) are one way to produce antimicrobial polymers. The purpose of this study is to characterise SEBS-based TPE compounds incorporated with TiO 2 , Mg(OH) 2 and Al(OH) 3 . The mechanical, optical and antimicrobial characteristics of TPE samples were investigated. The differences between the means in the mechanical properties of all loaded materials were not significant. The optical results show a reduction in polymer transparency, with total opacity after the incorporation of TiO 2 . Among the additives tested, TiO 2 offered the best antimicrobial action. There was no fungal growth on the loaded TPE surface. The incorporation of TiO 2 in SEBS-based TPE materials may be used in the industry to develop antimicrobial products, which, when complemented with additional disinfection treatments, can contribute to public health.

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Styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are applied in the production of household items used in places with conditions for microbial development. Metal oxides like zinc oxide (ZnO) and others can be added to the TPE composition to prevent microbial growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of thermal accelerated ageing on mechanical, chemical and antibacterial properties of SEBS-based TPE containing 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% zinc oxide. Zinc oxide was characterized by laser diffraction, X-ray diffraction, superficial area, porosity and scanning electron microscopy. Both aged and unaged samples were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, tensile at rupture, elongation at rupture, hardness and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Following thermal exposure, a reduction of antimicrobial activity was observed. No significant difference was observed in the chemical and mechanical characteristics between aged and unaged samples.

An alternative for producing thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with antibacterial properties is to add copper to the polymeric matrices. This study investigates the effects of the addition of copper microparticles on the morphological, thermal, physical and mechanical behavior and antibacterial properties of a blend composed by styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) and polypropylene (PP) homopolymer. The cooper microparticles used (commercial grade, produced by electrolytical process) were dispersed in a TPE matrix composed by SEBS/PP. Two bacterial species associated with infections (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) were used in the antibacterial assays. The incorporation of copper microparticles in TPE matrix did not promote expressive changes in the thermal, physical and mechanical properties of the compounds. The findings from antibacterial assays showed a reduction of 99.99% in bacterial counts.