Recent advances on copper/polymer nanocomposites: Processing strategies, mechanisms, and antibacterial efficacy

Polymer nanocomposites incorporating copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have gained significant attention due to their multifunctional properties and potential applications in various fields. CuNPs offer potent antibacterial activity, making them promising candidates for combating microbial contamination in healthcare, food packaging, wearables, and environmental settings. The synergistic combination of CuNPs and its derivatives with polymers enhances mechanical strength, flexibility, and other desirable properties, while also enabling additional functionalities such as antibacterial, antifungal, electrical properties and sensor capabilities. Polymer nanocomposites offer a versatile and effective platform for developing antibacterial materials due to their ability to integrate and release antibacterial agents, superior mechanical properties, surface modifiability, stability, costeffectiveness, and potential for sustainable solutions. These attributes make them indispensable in advancing antibacterial technologies across various industries. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in the development of polymer nanocomposites incorporating CuNPs and Cu derivatives, focusing on their antibacterial efficacy, fabrication methods, and strategies for mitigating potential risks. Further, the various processing methods and their underlying mechanism and antibacterial efficiency against numerous Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and other influencing factors have been addressed. Additionally, future directions and emerging applications of CuNPs-based polymer nanocomposites are discussed, highlighting the potential for addressing critical challenges in various applications.