A unique, durable, nonleaching antimicrobial urethane coating possessing energy-dampening properties is reported. Five novel diol-functionalized quaternary ammonium bromide salts were designed, synthesized, and cross-linked with a commercial polyisocyanate to afford novel multifunctional self-decontaminating coatings. Leaching of the antimicrobial into the environment is eliminated because of the biocidal tether. The effectiveness of these molecules to self-concentrate at the air–polymer interface without addition of other surface modifying additives proved extremely advantageous, and consequently resulted in microphase separation as confirmed by AFM. The coatings were designed to continuously decontaminate against a variety of pathogenic bacteria in addition to affording preliminary dampening properties. Minimum inhibitory concentration studies as well as surface antimicrobial evaluations were conducted using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Additionally, viscoelastic properties, hardness, tack, and surface energy measurements were used to correlate with coating performance.

The adhesive properties, as measured by bulk tack analysis, are found to decrease in blends of isomerically pure Sc3N@Ih-C80 metallic nitride fullerene (MNF) and polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) copolymer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) under white light irradiation in air. Reduction of tack is attributed to the in-situ generation of 1O2 and subsequent photooxidative crosslinking of the adhesive film. Comparisons are drawn to classical fullerenes C60 and C70 for this process. This work represents the first demonstration of 1O2 generating ability in the general class of metallic nitride fullerenes, (M3N@C80). Additional support is provided for the sensitizing ability of Sc3N@Ih-C80 through the successful photooxygenation of 2-methyl-2-butene to its allylic hydroperoxides in benzene-d6 under irradiation at 420 nm, a process which occurs at a comparable rate to C60. Photooxygenation of 2-methyl-2-butene is found to be influenced by the fullerene sensitizer concentration and oxygen gas flow rate. Molar extinction coefficients are reported for Sc3N@Ih-C80 at 420 nm and 536 nm. Evaluation of the potential antimicrobial activity of films prepared in this study stemming from the in-situ generation of 1O2 led to an observed 1 log kill for select Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

An ever increasing concern over bacterial infections caused by consumer products as well as medical devices is obvious from the recent surge in literature documenting the need for novel self-decontaminating coatings. Within, we report a hybrid ionic organic/inorganic siloxane epoxy system containing quaternary ammonium moieties. This novel low surface energy antimicrobial coating is capable of self-decontaminating in a variety of environments. The system is designed to be used as an over-coating, for devices that are prone to come into contact with pathogenic bacteria. These coatings have been synthesized, characterized, and analyzed for both physical and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary antimicrobial evaluation indicates a direct correlation between antimicrobial activity and hydrophobicity of the biocidal functional group within the resin matrix. These coatings have demonstrated the ability to eliminate up to 99.9% of pathogenic bacteria on the surface.

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