Cationic Conjugated Microporous Polymers Coating for Dual‐Modal Antimicrobial Inactivation with Self‐Sterilization and Reusability Functions

Abstract

COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak poses a great threat to human health. Face masks have been considered as important personal protective equipment to prevent the COVID‐19 transmission. However, pathogens can survive up to several days on the fabrics of commercial masks, which increases the risk of direct/indirect microbial transmission. Herein, new cationic conjugated microporous polymers (CCMPs)‐based coating is developed, which possesses extended π‐conjugated skeletons and massive quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) groups, exhibiting dual‐modal antimicrobial inactivation, including sunlight‐driven photodynamic sterilization through the generation of reactive oxygen species and contact sterilization through QAS groups. As a result, the CCMPs coatings can rapidly and efficiently eradicate 99% of model microbes, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under solar illumination, and also ensure the great antimicrobial effect in the absence of light. More importantly, the CCMPs coatings exhibit excellent durability, reusability as well as antimicrobial stability in humid environment. Contributing to the outstanding processability and formability, CCMPs can be in situ synthesized and coated over fibers through a simple spray procedure. Taken together, the design provides a promising strategy for developing reusable and self‐sterilizing antimicrobial fabrics, particularly for the application of face masks to tackle infectious pathogen and viruses in daily protection and medical applications.

Improved Antibacterial Properties of Polylactic Acid-Based Nanofibers Loaded with ZnO–Ag Nanoparticles through Pore Engineering

“…16,17 Adding antibacterial agents in protective fiber materials or treating their surface with antibacterial agents are two commonly used methods to endow protective materials with active protective functions. 18,19 Although both methods can produce antibacterial and antiviral effects in the resulting antibacterial protective fiber materials, they still have serious deficiencies. The coating formed by surface treatment of protective fibers with antibacterial agents has the disadvantages of weak adhesion and poor stability.…”

“…However, these materials are prone to cause secondary pollution and spread after being contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, during and after use . Therefore, it is crucial to endow protective fiber materials with active protective functions, such as timely killing of pathogenic microorganisms to protect wearers of protective products and prevent their spread. , Adding antibacterial agents in protective fiber materials or treating their surface with antibacterial agents are two commonly used methods to endow protective materials with active protective functions. , Although both methods can produce antibacterial and antiviral effects in the resulting antibacterial protective fiber materials, they still have serious deficiencies. The coating formed by surface treatment of protective fibers with antibacterial agents has the disadvantages of weak adhesion and poor stability .…”

An Antimicrobial Polymer Brush Coating to Fabricate High-Performance, Durable, Self-Sterilization, and Recyclable Face Masks

“…The rapid spread of COVID-19 has also led to a severe shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. 28 There are several clever examples of antimicrobial surface design strategies in nature. For example, the leaves and stems of wild tomatoes are covered with hairy structures called trichomes.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has also inspired a proliferation in the design and development of antibacterial masks in recent years, − including MoS 2 nanosheet-based masks, silver nanoparticle-based masks, quaternary ammonium cation-based masks, , and lignin-based masks . Yet, many of these strategies result in masks with only moderate antibacterial and antiviral activities, short service life, and poor durability.…”

Autoclavable Nanofiber Laminated Fabrics with Waterproof and Breathability for Reusable Medical Protective Textiles

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is a worldwide emergency which causes profound impact on the health and well-being of populations as well as the economies and societies. , Since the first report of COVID-19 in December 2019, it has affected over 190 countries around the world with 651 million cases and more than 6.6 million deaths as of December 2022. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has aroused extensive concern to inhibit virus infection and protect healthcare workers from infectious hazards. − Medical protective clothing could prevent the transfer of body fluid, create a barrier for droplet exposure, and therefore inhibit pathogen transfer between patients and healthcare workers . Enormous consumption and improper disposal of protective clothing have put a lot of pressure on waste management system.…”