Silver-Polymer Complexes for Antimicrobial Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for water-soluble polymer-silver complexes that can be crosslinked with UV light to become durable and water-insoluble, suitable for antimicrobial applications or forming high-resolution electrically conductive patterns without additional crosslinking agents or photoinitiators, and capable of forming silver nanoparticles in the size range of 1 to 500 nm.
Innovation Solution
A silver-containing article comprising a substrate with a water-soluble complex of a reactive polymer that includes greater than 1 mol % of recurring units with sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups and at least 5 mol % of recurring units capable of crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition, which can be crosslinked using UV radiation to form a durable, water-insoluble complex with reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a water-soluble polymer-silver complex is used to maintain water-solubility and enable roll-to-roll manufacturing, then ease of manufacture and processability are improved, but durability and water-insolubility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing a polymer-silver complex that can dynamically change its solubility state. The complex transitions from water-soluble in its uncrosslinked state (enabling ease of manufacture and roll-to-roll processing) to water-insoluble after UV-induced crosslinking (providing durability and resistance to water). This dynamic transformation allows the same material to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages of the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing UV irradiation as a trigger to alter the physical and chemical parameters of the polymer-silver complex. Upon UV exposure, the crosslinking reaction changes the molecular structure and intermolecular interactions, transforming the complex from soluble to insoluble. This parameter change enables the material to achieve both ease of manufacture (in soluble form) and durability (in crosslinked form).
2Productivity
If additional crosslinking agents or photoinitiators are used to achieve crosslinking, then crosslinking efficiency is improved, but device complexity and formulation complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by incorporating photopolymerizable groups directly into the polymer backbone or side chains of the polymer-silver complex itself. The complex serves its own crosslinking needs through UV-induced photopolymerization of these built-in groups, eliminating the requirement for separate crosslinking agents or photoinitiators. This self-contained approach maintains high crosslinking efficiency while significantly reducing formulation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the crosslinking function with the polymer structure by integrating photopolymerizable groups into the polymer chains. This combination allows the polymer-silver complex to perform both its primary function (forming stable complexes with silver) and the crosslinking function (providing durability) through a single UV irradiation step, without requiring additional separate components.
3Device complexity
If silver nanoparticles are formed without polymeric stabilizers to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but particle stability and prevention of agglomeration are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the polymer to perform multiple functions simultaneously: (1) serving as a stabilizer to prevent silver nanoparticle agglomeration, (2) providing the crosslinking capability through photopolymerizable groups, and (3) maintaining water-solubility through hydrophilic groups. This multi-functional polymer eliminates the need for separate stabilizers and crosslinking agents, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring particle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by creating a polymer-silver nanoparticle complex where the polymer matrix incorporates both stabilizing and crosslinking functionalities. The composite structure allows the polymer chains to wrap around and stabilize silver nanoparticles while containing photopolymerizable groups that enable crosslinking upon UV exposure, achieving both stability and simplified formulation.
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 enables the creation of high-resolution, antimicrobial coatings and electrically conductive patterns with enhanced durability and water-solubility, facilitating the inhibition of microbial colonization and growth on various surfaces, including those frequently exposed to water, while allowing for roll-to-roll manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least 5 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant group capable of crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition
Implementation Method 2
a water-soluble complex of a reactive polymer with reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles
Data Source
AI summary
Articles are prepared to have a substrate and a silver-containing composition on either or both supporting sides of the substrate. The silver-containing composition can comprise either reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles, complexed with a reactive polymer. The reactive polymer comprises: (a) greater than 1 mol % of recurring units comprising sulfonic acid or sulfonate groups, (b) at least 5 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant group capable of crosslinking via [2+2] photocycloaddition, and optionally (c) at least 1 mol % of recurring units comprising a pendant amide, hydroxyl, lactam, phosphonic acid, or carboxylic acid group. Some other articles have a water-insoluble complex of reacted (crosslinked) polymer with reducible silver ions or silver nanoparticles on either or both supportive sides of the substrate. Such reacted polymer is derived from the noted reactive polymer.