Low Density Polyethylene Antimicrobial and Antiviral Coatings for Polyester-Based Nonwoven Fabrics

Abstract

During a world-wide pandemic solutions for the production of anti-viral products is an at all-time high, motivating research into a wide array of potential solutions, with special interest to those capable of being deployed with as close to zero alterations to the production methods. The present work investigates the potential of using two additives, a commercially available masterbatch and a copper oxide powder, compounded using LDPE as a matrix, to be incorporated in a standard industrial setting. The final products were conventional polyester-based TNTs with 5 g m-2 coatings obtained from the micronized LDPE compounds. Antimicrobial and antiviral properties were evaluated for the two TNT products, revealing both solutions as technical equivalents and capable solutions for the production of PPEs.