Polymeric Blends with Copper: A Powerful Weapon against Pathogenic Spread ^†

The current pandemic situation leads us to adapt to this new reality and to search for alternatives regarding the materials that we use daily. Accordingly, it is often explained that the virus can remain on surfaces, making them potential vehicles for spread [1]. In this regard, the development of materials with antimicrobial properties has arisen.

Among the most studied antimicrobial solutions, there are metals (different kinds and applied in different formats) and, among them, copper (Cu) is one of the most used with proven antimicrobial properties. This metal has the ability to effectively inhibit and kill different bacterial and viral strains upon direct contact, either as coatings or as the surface material itself [2]. This happens due to the release of metallic ions that become toxic to microorganisms at high concentrations, leading to membrane rupture and, therefore, cell death [3].

Among the examples that could be shown using Cu for antimicrobial purposes, there is the work by Fujimori and collaborators (2012) that shows the inactivation of the H1N1 influenza virus [4] and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [5] by copper metals and divalent copper ions (Cu II). In addition, a variety of copper alloys have shown the ability to inactivate human coronavirus within a few minutes in some cases [6].

Concerning all the above, different polymeric/Cu blends were produced and optimized to achieve their best performance regarding the antimicrobial properties.