Incorporation of antibacterial active additives inside polycarbonate surfaces by using compressed carbon dioxide as transport aid

Abstract In this study compressed carbon dioxide and silver nitrate as antimicrobial agent were used to equip injection moulded polycarbonate parts with antibacterial properties. Experiments were performed in a high pressure view cell of 63 mL and scaled up in a high pressure vessel of 2 L. Temperatures of 20 °C and 80 °C and CO 2 pressures of ambient pressure and 120 bar were applied. The impregnated samples were analysed regarding the durability of their antibacterial activity. Abrasion tests, elution tests as well as UV irradiation were performed. The influence on the silver content, the transmission and the antibacterial activity were investigated. Depending on the used parameter the samples were able to reduce bacterial activity up to 99.9% after one hour of contact time in a dynamic shake flask tests according to ASTM E2149 classification.