Polymer-Bound Silver Nanoparticle Coatings for Low-Leaching Antiviral Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antiviral coatings comprising silver nanoparticles face challenges in achieving consistent and long-lasting antiviral activity due to leaching of silver ions or metal, which affects environmental and human health, and their efficacy is not well understood, especially when bound in composite surface coatings.
Innovation Solution
Development of antiviral coatings using polymers bound to silver nanoparticles, where the polymer acts as a reducing agent to form stable silver nanoparticles without external reducing agents, preventing agglomeration and leaching, and achieving strong bonding interactions, resulting in non-leaching or low-leaching coatings with enhanced antiviral activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver nanoparticles are used in antiviral coatings, then antiviral activity is achieved, but silver ions leach out affecting environmental and human health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymer as an intermediary substance that binds to silver nanoparticles. This polymer mediator prevents direct contact between silver nanoparticles and the environment, thereby reducing silver ion leaching while maintaining antiviral activity through the bound nanoparticles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining polymers and silver nanoparticles. This composite structure integrates the antiviral properties of silver nanoparticles with the stabilizing and binding characteristics of polymers, resulting in a material that maintains antiviral efficacy while minimizing harmful silver ion release.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If silver nanoparticles are bound in composite surface coatings, then silver leaching is reduced, but antiviral efficacy is not well understood and may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs polymers that possess inherent reducing agent properties, allowing them to self-reduce silver ions to silver nanoparticles during the coating formation process. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external reducing agents and ensures the formation of stable, bound silver nanoparticles that maintain antiviral efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the chemical environment during coating application, where the polymer's reducing capability transforms silver ions into metallic nanoparticles. This parameter change from ionic to metallic state enhances the stability and antiviral properties of the bound silver nanoparticles in the composite coating.
3Reliability
If traditional antiviral formulations are applied to surfaces, then temporary antiviral effect is achieved, but the bioburden level returns to precleaned surface state within 2.5 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates silver nanoparticles into the polymer coating structure during the coating formulation stage, creating a pre-loaded antiviral system. This preliminary integration ensures that antiviral agents are continuously available at the surface without requiring repeated applications, extending the duration of protective action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a continuous antiviral protection system where bound silver nanoparticles remain actively engaged with viruses on the surface. The polymer matrix maintains constant contact between the silver nanoparticles and viral particles, ensuring uninterrupted antiviral action over extended periods rather than temporary effects.
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 polymer-bound silver nanoparticle coatings demonstrate significant antiviral activity against various viruses, including feline calicivirus, human coronavirus, and influenza A H1N1, with reduced silver leach rates and extended antiviral lifespan, maintaining effectiveness without compromising the polymer properties.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer acts as a reducing agent to form stable silver nanoparticles without external reducing agents
Implementation Method 2
achieving strong bonding interactions, resulting in non-leaching or low-leaching coatings
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are antiviral coatings comprising silver nanoparticles, methods of their preparation and uses thereof. The antiviral coatings include silver nanoparticles bound to polyurethane polymers, acrylic polymers, and polyols bound to via the respective functional groups. The antiviral coatings have a very low silver leach rate. The silver nanoparticles are formed by reduction of silver ions by the functional groups. Further, the silver nanoparticles are stabilised by the interactions with the functional groups.