Development of the Medical Disinfection Equipment based on Para-rubber Composites Filled with Metal Oxide

The present research aims to develop the new medical disinfection goods which basically have para-rubber and/or synthetic rubber and textile fiber as the main components, such as rubber-glove, shoes, masks and personal protective equipment (PPE). These goods are frequently used in the risk areas and easily to have a contamination since there cannot sterilize any diseases either the direct contact or the air. Also, such materials might have a large pore size which allows the attraction of diseases to the human skins. Therefore, creating of an innovative material which can both protect and disinfect the diseases is a considering as a promising and challenging for the near future. Thus, the uses of para-rubber which is domestically the polymeric material containing superior properties i.e. elasticity, hydrophobicity and excellent insulative and adhesive properties are considered. Here, the para-rubber in forms of rubber sheet and rubber sponges with and without blowing agent composites were prepared and filled with two different metal oxides, namely zinc oxide and titanium oxide. The final product was proposed to be the solid rubber and/or coating materials with balancing of disinfection ability and well mechanical and dynamical properties, hardness and touch feeling. It was found that the zinc oxide has effectively reacted with light and moisture and created consequently the hydrogen peroxide for killing diseases. Also, the titanium oxide has activated by UV light and absorbed significantly the organic gases dispersed in air. Therefore, the para-rubber composites filled both zinc oxide and titanium oxide are success to effectively protect and infect the direct contact of the diseases to human together with high duration of uses.