PVC containing silver nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties effective against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) is commonly used to manufacture biomedical devices and hospital components, but it does not present antimicrobial activity enough to prevent biofouling. With the emergence of new microorganisms and viruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was responsible for the global pandemic caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is evident the importance of the development of self-disinfectant PVC for hospital environments and medical clinics where infected people remain for a long time. In this contribution, PVC nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared in the molten state. AgNPs are well-known as antimicrobial agents suitable for designing antimicrobial polymer nanocomposites. Adding 0.1 to 0.5 wt% AgNPs significantly reduced Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of PVC due to the emergence of microstructural defects in the PVC/AgNP nanocomposites, but the impact strength did not change significantly. Furthermore, nanocomposites have a higher yellowness index (YI) and lower optical bandgap values than PVC. The PVC/AgNP nanocomposites present virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.28 strain) within 48 h when the AgNP content is at least 0.3 wt%, suitable for manufacturing furniture and hospital equipment with self-disinfectant capacity to avoid secondary routes of COVID-19 contagion.

Prevention of surface defects in calendered poly(vinyl chloride) sheets using a succinate‐capped poly(caprolactone) additive

“…Thermogravimetric analysis revealed comparable thermal stability between all mixes, with an initial degradation onset temperature of T ≈ 265°C for approximately 70% of total mass and a further degradation at T ≈ 450°C for a further 13% of total mass. There are two major thermal degradation stages for PVC, the first occurs due to the PVC dehydrochlorination with the formation of polyene sequences along the PVC polymer backbone, and the second is associated with the decomposition of the polyene sequences 16 . The first stage (Change 1) occurred from approximately 260–325°C and resulted in an average thermal degradation of 72% for all samples.…”

“…There are two major thermal degradation stages for PVC, the first occurs due to the PVC dehydrochlorination with the formation of polyene sequences along the PVC polymer backbone, and the second is associated with the decomposition of the polyene sequences. 16 The first stage (Change 1) occurred from approximately 260-325 C and resulted in an average thermal degradation of 72% for all samples. The second stage (Change 2) occurred from approximately 450-490 C and resulted in an average thermal degradation of 14.7%.…”