Multifunctional Cu2+-montmorillonite/epoxy resin nanocomposites with antibacterial activity

Multifunctional nanocomposites can be achieved by addition of modified layered nanoclays to impart to the final materials a designed set of properties. The easy reproducible preparation of copper modified montmorillonite has been reported here together with its spectroscopic characterization, including 29Si NMR in the solid state. Epoxy-nanocomposites and glass fiber reinforced laminates containing 1% wt and 3% wt of Cu2+-MMT have been prepared and characterized. Thermal and mechanical properties have been evaluated. The experiments carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity showed that the epoxy-resin nanocomposites with 3% wt of Cu2+-MMT exhibited an inhibition action higher than 96% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.