Preparação e caracterização de nanocompósitos polipropileno e nanopartículas de cobre PP/NanoCu visando a atividade virucida ao Covid-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic generated social, economic, cultural and political impacts. The number of deaths and infections grew rapidly, social distancing became extremely necessary during this period, so the search for masks and disposable products provided great support for the consumption of polypropylene, in addition to hospital products, disposables used in food and Household appliances were more in demand, due to people spending more time at home. Polypropylene (PP) is a highly usable polymer, also used in the manufacture of orthoses. In this production process, PP waste is generated that can be used again in orthoses. With the aim of studying the characteristics of orthosis waste for possible uses with due care for the COVID-19 virus, PP samples and PP samples with Copper nanoparticles were analyzed in the proportions of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2%. Copper is a metal with antimicrobial and antivirucidal action, however, it has properties that can alter the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of the polymer that were studied in this work. To obtain test specimens, the samples were ground and then extruded. These samples were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Tensile Tests. The thermal analysis shows greater stability with the addition of NPCu, the degradation of the material decreases, as does its resistance to rupture, according to the tensile tests. In the SEM samples, it was possible to observe a significant change in the adhesion of the material, eliminating cracks and several layers of sample levels.