Antimicrobial surfactants and water borne coatings comprising the same

Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial waterborne coatings face limitations due to the leaching of biocidal compounds over time, which restricts their wide applicability and effectiveness in preventing bacterial infections.

Innovation Solution

Development of a dual-function, non-leaching surfactant with a hydrophobic hyperbranched polymer moiety functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups, which provides both antibacterial properties and stability to the coating, ensuring the surfactant molecules remain on the surface and maintain their efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If leachable antimicrobial agents are impregnated into coating materials, then antibacterial activity is provided, but the biocidal compound leaches over time reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial activityVSAvoidbiocidal compound

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surfactant and antimicrobial agent into a single integrated molecule. The quaternary ammonium groups are incorporated directly into the surfactant structure, creating a dual-function compound that provides both surface-active properties and antibacterial activity without requiring separate components or impregnation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surfactant molecules perform multiple functions simultaneously: they stabilize the waterborne coating dispersion and provide antimicrobial protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate antimicrobial additives and prevents the leaching issues associated with impregnated agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional surfactants are used in waterborne coatings, then coating stability is achieved, but antimicrobial properties are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating stabilityVSAvoidantimicrobial protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surfactant molecules perform multiple functions simultaneously: they stabilize the waterborne coating dispersion and provide antimicrobial protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate antimicrobial additives and prevents the leaching issues associated with impregnated agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the surfactant and antimicrobial agent into a single integrated molecule. The quaternary ammonium groups are incorporated directly into the surfactant structure, creating a dual-function compound that provides both surface-active properties and antibacterial activity without requiring separate components or impregnation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If quaternary ammonium salts are used as antimicrobial agents, then antibacterial activity is achieved, but biocide tolerance and toxicity limitations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantibacterial activityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the quaternary ammonium structure by incorporating it into a surfactant framework with specific hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. This structural modification changes the physical and chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent, potentially reducing toxicity while maintaining antibacterial efficacy through the amphiphilic nature of the molecule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 surfactant effectively kills bacteria and fungi, demonstrating potent bactericidal and fungicidal activity without leaching, thereby enhancing the durability and effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings.

Implementation Method 1

The quaternary ammonium groups offer both the antibacterial properties and the polarity needed for the amphiphilic character of the surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium compounds:

Implementation Method 2

Surfactants are indispensable in water borne coatings to keep the dispersions stable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant stabilization: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

an amphiphilic surfactant required to stabilize the dispersed resin could additionally serve to confer antibacterial properties to the coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmphiphilic character: Amphiphiles

Implementation Method 4

a hydrophobic hyperbranched polymer moiety functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11286390B2Antimicrobial surfactants and water borne coatings comprising the same

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 VAN WIJHE BEHEER

AI summary

The invention relates to novel antimicrobial surfactants and their application in antimicrobial coating systems, in particular water borne coatings. Provided is a method for providing an antimicrobial surfactant, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a hyperbranched polyurea having blocked isocyanates at the end of the polymer branches by the polycondensation of AB2 monomers; (b) introducing tertiary amine groups by reacting said blocked isocyanates of the hyperbranched polyurea with a tertiary amine compound that is functionalized with —OH, —NH2, —SH, or —COO—; and (c) quaternization of said tertiary amine groups by reacting with an alkylating agent to obtain a quaternized hyperbranched polymer having antimicrobial surfactant properties.