Water-Stable Organosilane Antimicrobial Coating Against Self-Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organosilanes used in antimicrobial applications are prone to self-condensation in water, leading to instability and reduced effectiveness, and existing solutions face challenges with toxicity, flammability, and limited shelf-life, making them difficult to use and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A water-stable organosilane composition is created by mixing an organosilane with an acidic stabilizing solution containing a quaternary ammonium salt, a glycol ether, and water, which prevents self-condensation and enhances stability, non-toxicity, and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organosilane is used in water for antimicrobial applications, then antimicrobial effectiveness is achieved, but self-condensation occurs leading to instability and reduced shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-aqueous solvent system (alcohol, glycol, or ketone) as an intermediary medium to dissolve the organosilane and quaternary ammonium compound, preventing direct water-induced self-condensation while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness. The solvent acts as a bridge that allows the active ingredients to function without undergoing harmful hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical environment by using non-aqueous solvents instead of water, fundamentally altering the hydrolysis and condensation behavior of the organosilane. This parameter change (from aqueous to non-aqueous medium) prevents self-condensation while preserving the antimicrobial properties of the composition.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If organosilane is stabilized in water with existing additives, then shelf-life is extended, but toxicity and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs common, low-toxicity solvents such as alcohol, glycol, or ketone that are inherently safer and less flammable than traditional stabilizing additives. These solvents provide sufficient stabilization without introducing significant toxicity or flammability concerns, making the composition safer for commercial and consumer applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting solvents with favorable safety profiles (low toxicity, reduced flammability) while maintaining the necessary stabilization function. This parameter optimization allows extended shelf-life without compromising safety.
3Stability of the object's composition
If organosilane solution is prepared freshly, then stability is maintained, but ease of operation decreases due to preparation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-dissolving the organosilane and quaternary ammonium compound in a stable non-aqueous solvent system during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation creates a shelf-stable concentrate that can be stored and later diluted with water at the point of use, eliminating the need for frequent fresh preparation while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilized composition is designed to be self-stable in the non-aqueous solvent system without requiring continuous monitoring or frequent repreparation. The composition serves itself by maintaining stability through the solvent system, reducing the operational burden on users.
4Reliability
If quaternary ammonium salt is added to organosilane, then antimicrobial properties are enhanced, but self-condensation is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The non-aqueous solvent acts as an intermediary that allows the quaternary ammonium salt to be combined with organosilane without triggering accelerated self-condensation. The solvent medium prevents direct water contact that would otherwise catalyze the condensation reaction, enabling the enhanced antimicrobial properties to be realized without sacrificing stability.
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 solution provides a stable, non-toxic, and easily dispersible antimicrobial coating that maintains effectiveness for extended periods, reducing manufacturing costs and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
The C18 hydrocarbon chain quaternary ammonium portion of the molecule possesses long-acting antimicrobial properties and provides initial association with the surface of the substrate through ionic bonds and/or electrostatic interaction
Implementation Method 2
hydrolysis of the first two X groups with water produces a species bearing —Si(OH)2— units
Implementation Method 3
self-condense through the hydroxyl moieties to linear and/or cyclic oligomers possessing the partial structure HO—Si—(O—Si)mm—O—Si—O—Si—O—Si—OH
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to water-stable compositions and compounds formed by mixing an organosilane, optionally having a non-hydrolyzable organic group, but having one or more hydrolyzable groups, and an acidified stabilizing solution prepared from at least one acid, at least one glycol ether, and at least one cationic surfactant, preferably at least one quaternary ammonium salt (QAS), in water. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a substrate by mixing or contacting the substrate with the product, compound, or composition of this invention for a period of time sufficient for treatment of the substrate, methods of antimicrobially treating a food article, methods of antimicrobially coating a fluid container, methods of dyeing and treating a substrate, and methods of antimicrobially coating a latex medical article. The invention also pertains to a treated substrate having adhered thereto the product, compound, or composition of this invention.