UV-Crosslinkable Antimicrobial Polymer Coating for Inert Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial agents face challenges in effectively addressing microbial infections in various commercial applications such as textiles, food packaging, and medical devices, as they often require the release of biocides into the environment and struggle with immobilization on inert surfaces like polyethylene and polypropylene.
Innovation Solution
Development of a polymer composition comprising a linear or branched polyethylenimine with a hydrophobic side chain and a photo cross-linkable moiety, which is covalently bonded to surfaces using UV light, creating an antimicrobial coating that is irreversibly attached and effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current antimicrobial agents are used, then microbial infection is addressed, but biocides are released into the environment and they struggle with immobilization on inert surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of polyethylenimine by quaternizing it with hydrophobic side chains and photo-crosslinkable moieties. This changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polymer, enabling it to form irreversible covalent bonds with inert surfaces through UV light exposure, thereby eliminating biocide release while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of quaternized polyethylenimine with hydrophobic side chains and photo-crosslinkable groups. This composite structure combines the antimicrobial properties of quaternized amines with the surface-bonding capabilities of photo-crosslinkable moieties, achieving both immobilization on inert surfaces and environmental safety
2Reliability
If polyethylenimine is used for surface coating, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but the coating is not irreversibly attached to inert surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates photo-crosslinkable moieties into the polyethylenimine structure before application. Upon UV light exposure after coating, these pre-installed moieties initiate crosslinking reactions that irreversibly attach the coating to inert surfaces, ensuring both antimicrobial activity and stable immobilization
Solution Approach 2:
The photo-crosslinkable moieties act as intermediaries between the polyethylenimine coating and the inert surface. These moieties enable covalent bonding through photo-induced reactions, serving as a bridge that allows irreversible attachment without requiring modification of the inert surface itself
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 coating demonstrates substantial antimicrobial activity, achieving greater than 99% bacterial kill and maintaining effectiveness even after sonication and exposure to harsh conditions, without releasing biocides into the environment.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the polymer to a UV light, wherein the interaction of the polymer with the UV light causes the polymer to covalently bond with the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to structures having a polymer composition covalently bonded to the surface of the structure, methods of attaching the polymer to the surface of the structure, methods of decreasing the amount of microorganisms formed on a structure, materials, methods of attaching materials, and the like.