Antibacterial Copper Powder

Antibacterial copper powder is a functional powder material mainly composed of metallic copper, usually prepared by physically processing copper materials (such as crushing, grinding, etc.) or using specific chemical synthesis processes. Its purity can be adjusted according to different application requirements, and some products may contain a small amount of other trace elements that can improve their dispersibility, stability, and other properties, but copper elements always dominate and are the core of the antibacterial effect.

Physical Properties

The appearance is generally purplish-red or brownish-red powder with a metallic luster. Its particle size is mostly at the micron level, but it can also reach the nanometer level through further fine processing. The smaller the particle size, the larger the specific surface area, and the better the antibacterial performance, etc. The texture is relatively delicate, with a certain fluidity, large density, and good electrical and thermal conductivity. It is insoluble in water and common organic solvents and can maintain a relatively stable physical state under conventional conditions.

Chemical Properties

It has a relatively stable chemical nature and does not easily react violently with oxygen and water in the air under normal temperature and pressure. However, when exposed to a humid environment containing acidic gases such as carbon dioxide for a long time, a layer of patina (basic copper carbonate) will slowly form on the surface of copper, but this process does not affect its antibacterial function. Copper can chemically react with some strong oxidizing acids (such as nitric acid) under certain conditions, showing the chemical activity of metals, and the copper ions it contains will also have corresponding chemical interactions with surrounding substances during the antibacterial process.

Antibacterial Principle

Antibacterial copper powder mainly relies on the release of copper ions to achieve antibacterial effects. When copper powder meets bacteria and other microorganisms, copper atoms will gradually lose electrons to become copper ions released into the surrounding environment. These copper ions can interact with the cell wall and cell membrane of bacteria, destroy their structural integrity, and cause the outflow of substances inside the cells. At the same time, copper ions can also enter the interior of bacterial cells and combine with biomacromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids inside the cells, causing them to denature and inactivate, thereby interfering with the normal metabolism, reproduction, and other physiological activities of bacteria, and ultimately inhibiting or even killing bacteria. It has a good antibacterial effect on a variety of common harmful bacteria and fungi.

Safety and Stability

When used reasonably, antibacterial copper powder is relatively safe. Copper is one of the essential trace elements in the human body, and the release of a small amount of copper ions usually does not pose a threat to human health, and its usage in products is generally strictly controlled. Its antibacterial performance has good stability and can continuously exert antibacterial effects for a long time if there are no extreme corrosive factors (such as strong acids and bases) in the environment. However, with the increase of usage time and the continuous release and consumption of copper ions, the antibacterial effect may weaken to a certain extent, but the relatively stable antibacterial efficacy can be maintained through reasonable process improvement and the addition of controlled-release components.

Application Scenarios

Medical Field

Surface Treatment of Medical Devices

Added to the surface coating materials of various medical devices (such as surgical knives, tweezers, infusion stands, etc.), it gives the device surface antibacterial ability, effectively reducing the attachment and breeding of bacteria on the device, reducing the risk of cross-infection during the use of medical devices, ensuring the safety and hygiene of medical operations, and is especially significant for medical devices that need to be used frequently or in long-term contact with the human body.

Medical Textiles

Used to produce medical work clothes, surgical gowns, bed linens, and other textiles, adding the antibacterial copper powder to textile fibers, can inhibit the breeding of bacteria and fungi on the surface of textiles, reduce the occurrence of hospital infections, create a relatively healthy and hygienic medical environment for medical staff and patients, and also help to extend the service life of medical textiles.

Home Building Materials Field

Antibacterial Coatings

As an additive mixed into building coatings, after brushing on walls, furniture surfaces, etc., it can exert long-term antibacterial effects, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of microorganisms such as mold and bacteria on the surface, avoiding the occurrence of mold and discoloration on the wall that affect aesthetics and hygiene, maintaining the cleanliness and dryness of the indoor environment, and helping to extend the service life of coatings, reducing coating damage caused by microbial erosion and other problems.

Antibacterial Flooring

Applied in the production process of floor materials such as wooden floors and tiles, it gives the floor antibacterial properties, reducing the breeding of bacteria and mold on the floor. For families with children, the elderly, pets, or people with low immunity, as well as public places such as hospitals, kindergartens, and nursing homes, it can greatly improve the hygiene quality of the floor environment and reduce the risk of diseases caused by microbial contact.

Food Processing and Packaging Field

Food Processing Equipment

Used for the surface coating or component manufacturing of food processing equipment (such as mixers, conveyor belts, storage containers, etc.), it relies on its antibacterial properties to inhibit the breeding of bacteria on the surface of the equipment, prevent bacterial contamination of food, ensure the hygiene and safety of the food processing process, meet the strict hygiene standards of the food industry, and help improve the quality and safety of food.

Food Packaging Materials

Added to plastic, paper and other food packaging materials, it uses its antibacterial properties to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and mold on the surface of packaging materials, extend the shelf life of food, reduce food spoilage caused by microbial contamination, better meet the strict requirements of food packaging for freshness, hygiene and other aspects, and reduce the occurrence of food waste.

Daily Use Field

Antibacterial Plastic Products

Mixed into the production raw materials of various plastic products (such as toothbrushes, combs, trash cans, etc.), it gives plastic products antibacterial functions, inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria on its surface, reduces problems such as odors and stains caused by bacterial breeding, improves the quality and hygiene of daily use products, and provides convenience and health protection for people’s daily lives.

Antibacterial Textiles

In addition to medical textiles, they are also widely used in the production of ordinary clothing and home textiles (such as underwear, pajamas, bed sheets, pillowcases, etc.), by inhibiting bacterial breeding, keeping clothing and home textile products clean and fresh, improving wearing and using experience, and meeting people’s pursuit of a healthy life.

Public Health and Environmental Protection Field

Public Facilities

Applied to the surface coating of various facilities in public places (such as bus handrails, elevator buttons, sanitary ware in public toilets, etc.), it gives them antibacterial ability, reduces bacterial transmission during contact, helps maintain public health environment, reduces the risk of infectious disease transmission, and plays an important role in special periods such as epidemic prevention and control.

Wastewater Treatment

In the wastewater treatment process, antibacterial copper powder can be used as an auxiliary material, using its inhibitory effect on some microorganisms to assist in controlling the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria, algae and other microorganisms in wastewater, optimize the wastewater treatment effect, improve the degree of water quality purification, and to a certain extent, help environmental protection work.