Sulfonated Pentablock Copolymer Coating for Microbial Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial solutions for surfaces are inadequate in effectively addressing drug-resistant pathogens and often come with environmental or health concerns, as bacteria can develop resistance and nanoscale metals can contaminate the environment.
Innovation Solution
A self-disinfecting coating material comprising a midblock-sulfonated polymer with a configuration of A-B-A or A-D-B-D-A, featuring para-substituted styrene end blocks and sulfonated styrenic polymer blocks, which creates a strongly acidic environment to inactivate microbes, and can be periodically reactivated for sustained effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal nanoparticles (Ag, Cu) or metal salts are embedded in polymeric substrate to provide antimicrobial properties, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but environmental contamination and food chain contamination occur due to metal leaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes metal nanoparticles and salts from the polymeric substrate entirely. Instead of embedding metals in the polymer matrix or on the surface, the invention uses a metal-free polymer composition that achieves antimicrobial properties through the polymer's inherent characteristics, thereby eliminating metal leaching and environmental contamination while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of composition by transitioning from metal-containing antimicrobial agents to a metal-free polymeric system. The polymer composition is specifically designed with functional groups or structural features that provide antimicrobial activity without relying on metal ions, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety
2Reliability
If photodynamic inactivation with photosensitive molecules is used to kill microbes, then sustainable microbiocide effect is achieved, but surface abrasion during application negates the effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes photosensitive molecules from the polymer composition entirely. Instead of relying on photodynamic inactivation mechanisms that are vulnerable to surface abrasion, the invention uses a metal-free polymer that provides antimicrobial protection through its bulk properties and chemical structure, which remain stable and effective even when the surface is abraded during application
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer composition provides self-service antimicrobial protection through its inherent molecular structure and functional groups. The polymer itself acts as the antimicrobial agent without requiring additional photosensitive additives or external activation, ensuring that the protective function persists through normal surface wear and abrasion
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 coating material achieves rapid and long-lasting microbial inactivation, including drug-resistant bacteria and viruses, with over 99% inactivation within minutes and maintaining effectiveness for extended periods, while being environmentally friendly and safe for use on various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer is in a protonated state and creates a strongly acidic environment upon contact with water or other liquids
Implementation Method 2
The coating material is periodically reactivated for the medium prone to microbial contamination to have a bulk pH of less than 2.0
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to self-disinfecting, stand-alone coating material for surfaces prone to microbial contamination. The coating material is selected from a midblock-sulfonated pentablock copolymer (s-PBC) and a midblock-sulfonated triblock copolymer. The block copolymer has a configuration A-B-A or A-D-B-D-A, with two unsubstituted styrene end blocks A, an interior styrenic polymer block B carrying sulfonyl groups with a degree of sulfonation of at least 15 mol %, and interior blocks D if present being a polymerized 1,3-butadiene or isoprene which is subsequently hydrogenated. In embodiments, the medium containing the microbes in contact with the coating material has a bulk pH of <2.0 for at least 99.9999% of the microbes to be killed within 5 minutes. The coating material can be reactivated by periodic exposure to acidic solutions to bring the bulk pH of the medium containing the microbes to be <2.0.