Study on Triclosan/Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex for Natural Rubber Antibacterial Agent

Summary This research aims to prepare antibacterial rubber from a natural rubber (NR) composite. Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 · 2H2O, CS), or gypsum, has been used as a non‐reinforced filler for NR due to its low cost, abundant availability and non‐toxicity. However, the dihydrate form cannot disperse well in the natural rubber matrix. In this study, the CS was converted to calcium sulfate anhydrite (AII) form by heat treatment. An antibacterial agent imparted antibacterial properties to the natural rubber composite. β‐cyclodextrin / Triclosan inclusion complex (β‐CD/TR IC) was prepared in this research and applied as antibacterial agent for natural rubber composite. The β‐CD/TR IC prevents loss of the antibacterial agent during rubber processing. The natural rubber‐filled calcium sulfate anhydrite composite (NR‐AII) mixed with β‐CD/TR IC clearly showed antibacterial activity against E. coli at β‐CD/TR IC content of 6 phr and S. aureus at β‐CD/TR IC content of 3 phr.