Antimicrobial capability of inorganic materials as fillers for thermoplastic Elastomer – A state of the art review

Increasing morbidity and mortality rates around the world due to antimicrobial resistance had attracted numerous research interests, particularly on producing polymeric materials with antimicrobial properties. These researchers aim to overcome and minimize the major infection problems caused by antimicrobial resistance. These antimicrobial polymeric materials are the alternative to conventional biocide. The aim of such articles are to minimize the transmission of microbes to humans after in contact with contaminated surfaces. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of inorganic material with antimicrobial properties as filler for thermoplastic elastomer. The antimicrobial mechanism against pathogen is discussed. This paper also shares several techniques used to produce polymeric materials with antimicrobial properties. The authors hope to advance knowledge in the field and encourage more research into the production of antimicrobial material based on polymers.