Corrosion behavior of copper/LDPE nanocomposites in simulated uterine solution

Abstract

We prepared copper/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites with various mass fractions of copper nanoparticles and investigated the Cu 2+ release rate of them for 220 days in a simulated uterine solution. The influences of copper nanoparticle mass fraction on Cu 2+ release and volume resistivity confirm that continuous network of copper nanoparticles can be obtained in composites when copper nanoparticle mass fraction ranges from 30% to 35%. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) mapping technique was employed to investigate the copper distribution and corrosion depth of 30 wt% copper/LDPE composite before and after incubation. Besides, elements and phases were also analyzed by EDX and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The results suggest that copper/LDPE nanocomposites should be more efficient and feasible than conventional IUD materials. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.