Thiol-Ene Click Chemistry for Antimicrobial Material Functionalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for imparting desirable functionalities to materials, such as antimicrobial properties, face challenges including complex reaction processes, high costs, and environmental concerns, with limited efficacy duration and compatibility with harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
The process employs thiol-ene click chemistry to react unsaturated compounds with thiol reactants, using environmentally friendly initiators like hydrogen peroxide, to functionalize materials with pendant amino, amido, imino, or hydroxyl groups, enabling the incorporation of functionality imparting groups like antimicrobial agents, under mild conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If chemical bonding techniques are used to improve efficacy duration, then the duration of action is improved, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using thiol-ene click chemistry with environmentally friendly initiators like hydrogen peroxide instead of traditional complex multi-step bonding processes. This simplifies the procedure while maintaining durable chemical bonding for long-lasting efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies functionalization at specific local sites on material surfaces through thiol-ene reactions, creating localized functional groups that provide sustained efficacy without requiring complex overall process changes
2Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional chemical bonding processes are used to improve efficacy duration, then the duration of action is improved, but environmental harm increases due to harsh solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts potentially harmful traditional chemical processes into environmentally benign reactions by using thiol-ene click chemistry with green initiators like hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes into water and oxygen, eliminating harmful solvent waste while maintaining durable bonding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses environmentally friendly, biodegradable initiators and reagents that are inexpensive and break down harmlessly, replacing persistent harmful solvents with short-lived benign substances that decompose into harmless products
3Duration of action of stationary object
If chemical bonding of functional compounds is used to improve efficacy duration, then the duration of action is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters by using simple one-step thiol-ene click chemistry reactions that proceed under mild conditions without requiring complex equipment or multiple processing steps, reducing manufacturing costs while achieving durable functionalization
Solution Approach 2:
The thiol-ene click chemistry reactions are self-catalyzing and proceed spontaneously under ambient conditions without requiring expensive catalysts or complex process control, making the manufacturing process more economical and easier to implement
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
This approach results in materials with enhanced and sustained antimicrobial efficacy, suitable for demanding applications, while reducing costs and environmental impact by using low-cost, environmentally preferable reaction conditions and initiators.
Implementation Method 1
The process employs thiol-ene click chemistry to react unsaturated compounds with thiol reactants
Implementation Method 2
using environmentally friendly initiators like hydrogen peroxide
Data Source
AI summary
Processes for chemical functionalization of materials are described. The processes generally include chemical reaction between a thiol group of a first compound or material and an alkene group or alkyne group of a second compound or material. Also disclosed are functionalized materials and compounds suitable for functionalizing a material.