Evaluation of commercial Mg(OH) ₂ , Al(OH) ₃ and TiO ₂ as antimicrobial additives in thermoplastic elastomers

Health concerns have driven the production of antimicrobial materials aimed at controlling the spread of diseases. Styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS)-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) incorporated with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) and aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH) 3 ) are one way to produce antimicrobial polymers. The purpose of this study is to characterise SEBS-based TPE compounds incorporated with TiO 2 , Mg(OH) 2 and Al(OH) 3 . The mechanical, optical and antimicrobial characteristics of TPE samples were investigated. The differences between the means in the mechanical properties of all loaded materials were not significant. The optical results show a reduction in polymer transparency, with total opacity after the incorporation of TiO 2 . Among the additives tested, TiO 2 offered the best antimicrobial action. There was no fungal growth on the loaded TPE surface. The incorporation of TiO 2 in SEBS-based TPE materials may be used in the industry to develop antimicrobial products, which, when complemented with additional disinfection treatments, can contribute to public health.