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Obtaining and Studying the Properties of Composite Materials from ortho-, meta-, para-Carboxyphenylmaleimide and ABS

Summary

Researchers developed new plastic materials based on ABS that can resist bacterial and fungal growth, making them ideal for medical equipment and food packaging. By adding special chemical additives (carboxyphenylmaleimides) to the plastic, the materials became antibacterial while maintaining their useful properties like strength and heat resistance. The study tested three different versions of these additives and found that all performed well against dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the potential to reduce infection risks in hospitals and healthcare settings.

Background

Antimicrobial materials are increasingly demanded in healthcare, food safety, and consumer goods sectors. ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is a versatile thermoplastic widely used in medical devices but lacks inherent antimicrobial properties. Development of ABS-based composite materials with antibacterial additives addresses the need for contamination-resistant materials in medical and hygienic applications.

Objective

To develop and characterize antibacterial composite materials based on ABS polymer modified with three isomers of carboxyphenylmaleimides (o-, m-, p-CPhMI). The study aimed to evaluate thermal stability, processability, rheological properties, and antibacterial activity of these composites for potential use in medical devices and sanitary applications.

Results

The o-isomer exhibited highest thermal stability (Tg ≈ 107°C) and decomposition resistance, while the p-isomer showed intermediate thermal properties and the m-isomer demonstrated highest melt flow but lower thermal stability. All composites demonstrated strong antibacterial activity at 0.5 wt% concentration and antifungal activity against Candida albicans with minimal impact on physical-mechanical properties.

Conclusion

The developed ABS-based composites modified with carboxyphenylmaleimides show promising potential for medical device applications, combining effective antibacterial properties with favorable polymer processing characteristics. The ortho-isomer provides optimal thermal stability while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy, making these materials suitable for hygienic coatings and antimicrobial packaging applications.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules31010190, PMID: 41515485
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