TITLE:
Development of Polypropylene/MoO₃ Nanocomposite Fibers to Evaluate Antimicrobial, Antiviral, and UV-Protective Performance
AUTHORS:
Raphael Borges Magalhães Bergamini, Maria Inês Bruno Tavares, Diego de Holanda Saboya Souza
KEYWORDS:
Molybdenum Trioxide, Polypropylene Fibers, Antibacterial, Antiviral, UV Protection, Functional Textiles
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.16 No.10,
October
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: The growing demand for polymeric materials with functional properties drives the development of nanocomposites capable of simultaneously meeting hygiene, health, and safety requirements. In this context, the present study investigates the incorporation of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanoparticles into polypropylene (PP) fibers produced by melt spinning, focusing on the evaluation of their antimicrobial, antiviral, and UV protection properties. The produced samples demonstrated significant activity against pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, achieving over 99% bacterial reduction with low nanoparticle content. However, the results obtained for UV protection and coronavirus activity were not satisfactory under the tested conditions. Further research is required in these areas to deepen the understanding and enhance performance.