Antimicrobial ionomer composition and uses thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial technologies, particularly those using silver, face challenges such as the potential hazards of nanoparticulate silver and limited development of polymer carrier-based silver technologies, along with issues like discoloration and particle formation in existing compositions.
Innovation Solution
Development of an antimicrobial ionomer composition comprising an amine functional cationic polymer, specifically poly(ethyleneimine) with a molecular weight between 200 and 3,000,000, reacted with silver halides or non-halide silver salts, and stabilized with sulfonamide group-containing substances, which provides enhanced adhesion, antimicrobial activity, and controlled silver-ion release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nanoparticulate silver is used for antimicrobial applications, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but health and environmental hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the beneficial antimicrobial property of silver (ionic silver release) while eliminating the harmful nanoparticle form. By using silver salts that release ionic silver controlled by the polymer matrix, the patent achieves antimicrobial activity without the health and environmental risks associated with nanoparticulate silver.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of silver delivery from nanoparticulate form to ionic form released from a polymer matrix. This parameter change transforms silver from a potentially hazardous nanoparticle into a controlled ionic release system that maintains antimicrobial efficacy while reducing hazards.
2Reliability
If conventional silver containing particles are attached to surfaces, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but particle formation and stability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system where a polymer matrix (polymer carrier) is combined with silver salts. This composite structure integrates the silver within the polymer network, preventing particle formation and discoloration while maintaining controlled ionic silver release for antimicrobial activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer matrix acts as an intermediary between the silver source and the environment. It mediates the release of ionic silver, preventing direct particle formation and stabilizing the composition against discoloration while enabling controlled antimicrobial action.
3Reliability
If polymer carrier based silver technologies are developed, then adhesion and controlled release are improved, but technological maturity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the silver delivery system into distinct functional components: a polymer matrix for adhesion and structural support, and silver salts for antimicrobial activity. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the manufacturing process compared to integrated nanoparticle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer-silver salt composition is designed to be self-sufficient, where the polymer matrix inherently provides adhesion to substrates and controlled release of ionic silver without requiring additional complex manufacturing steps or specialized equipment. The system serves its own functions of attachment and regulated delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition offers improved antimicrobial efficacy, optical performance, and stability, with enhanced adhesion properties and controlled silver-ion release, surpassing existing compositions, and is suitable for various surfaces and applications without particle formation.
Implementation Method 1
the lone pair electrons of nitrogen atoms of amine compounds with high boiling point or water-soluble polymer with basic nitrogen at the backbone or side chain are coordinated with silver ion
Implementation Method 2
reacting poly(ethyleneimine) having a molecular weight (Mw) between 200 and 3,000,000 and a silver halide
Implementation Method 3
reacting poly(ethyleneimine) having a molecular weight (Mw) between 200 and 3,000,000 and at least one silver non-halide salt or complex compound and hydrogen halide or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or ammonium halide salt
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a polymeric antimicrobial composition, a method of producing the same and the uses thereof. The ionomer composition comprises an amine functional polymer compound reacted with silver halide, optionally together with a stabilizing component, such as an organic substance carrying a sulfonamide functional group. The ionomer composition can be obtained by reacting together (i) at least one polyamine and silver halide and optionally at least one organic stabilizer substance or; (ii) at least one polyamine, at least one non-halide silver salt or silver complex, hydrogen halide and/or alkaline metal halide salt and optionally at least one organic stabilizer substance. The present ionomer composition is suitable for use as an antimicrobial coating, antimicrobial finish, antimicrobial additive and as antimicrobial component for formation of new antimicrobial materials.