Preparation of nonleaching antimicrobial polypropylene wax and its application in polypropylene

Antimicrobial polypropylene (PP) has been widely used. Its highly effective antimicrobial activities and nonleaching characteristics remain concerns. In this study, polypropylene wax (PPW) grafted with maleic anhydride was first prepared; this was followed by a melting reaction with polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) to obtain antimicrobial PPW [polypropylene wax grafted with polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PPW‐g‐PHMG)]. PPW‐g‐PHMG was then melt‐blended with PP to prepare antimicrobial PP. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed that PHMG was covalently bonded on the PPW chains, and transmission electron microscopy images showed a uniform distribution of PHMG in the PPW matrix. The resulting antimicrobial PP exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. The ring‐diffusion test further disclosed its nonleaching characteristics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44190.