Antibacterial Nanocompound Based on Silicone Rubber. Part I – Obtaining and Characterisation

The purpose of this paper is to develop an antibacterial polymer nanocompound based on silicone rubber reinforced with TiO2 nanoparticles and with added crosslinkers - dicumyl peroxide. The antibacterial nanocompound polymer was developed by vulcanization on a laboratory roll mill, so as to be further processed by means of molding using the electric press, with preset parameters for optimum processing. The antibacterial polymer nanocompound obtained was characterized in terms of physical-mechanical properties in normal condition and after accelerated aging at 70°C for 168 hours; it was also characterized in terms of immersion in specific environments for the food and pharmaceutical industries according to standards in force, and structurally by FT-IR. The new advanced material based on silicone elastomer (silicone rubber) helps to improve product quality, protects human health, sterilizes products against bacteria and microbes and last but not least protects the environment, but also increases the turnover of domestic and international companies. Following physical-mechanical and chemical characterization of polymer nanocompounds, two variants were selected (P5 and P6) which have potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.