Effect of Compositions and Heat Treatments of Polypropylene/PP-g-MAH/CuO-TiO₂ Composites on Thermal, Crystallization and Antimicrobial Properties

The leading cause of increased mortality rates is infections from implanted medical devices, with catheters accounting for more than 80% of these infections. Polypropylene (PP) composites with antimicrobial properties were developed by adding binary mixed oxide (CuO-TiO₂). The outcomes demonstrated that the spreading and encapsulation of CuO-TiO₂ particles in the PP matrix was much better with the incorporation of PP-g-MAH compatibilizer. Matrix crystallinity is affected by the addition of compatibilizers, the amount of CuO-TiO₂, and heat treatments. The synergy effect of CuO-TiO₂ as antimicrobial agents was analyzed. The antibacterial efficacy’s reliance on matrix crystallinity is elucidated in relation with various heat treatments, PP-g-MAH compatibilizer, and amount of CuO-TiO₂. PP made of binary mixed oxides (e.g., CuO and TiO₂) and 3 wt% PP-g-MAH that was processed with a low degree of crystallinity increased the material’s capability of effectively rendering plausible antimicrobial species (e.g., •O²⁻, •OH⁻, and Cu²⁺) with excellent antimicrobial efficacy towards Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This innovative composite, CuO-TiO₂-PP, offers new perspectives on managing bloodstream infections associated with catheter use.