Controlling bacterial fouling with polyurethane/N-halamine semi-interpenetrating polymer networks

Abstract

N -halamine-based interpenetrating polymer networks were developed as a simple and effective strategy in the preparation of antimicrobial polymers. An N-halamine monomer, N-chloro-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate, was incorporated into polyurethane in the presence of a cross-linker and an initiator. Post-polymerization of the monomers led to the formation of polyurethane/N-halamine semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. The presence of N-halamines in the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance infrared, water contact angle, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The N-halamine contents in the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks could be readily controlled by changing reaction conditions. The distribution of active chlorines within the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks was characterized with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Contact mode antimicrobial tests, zone of inhibition studies, and scanning electron microscopy observations showed that the semi-interpenetrating polymer networks had potent antimicrobial and antifouling effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Release tests demonstrated the outstanding stability of the N-halamine structures in the new semi-interpenetrating polymer networks.

Cyanuric Chloride-Based Reactive Dyes for Use in the Antimicrobial Treatments of Polymeric Materials

“…The original cotton fabric (Figure 4a) did not show any signals related to chloride. After dyeing with reactive blue 4 or the colorless reactive dye, the corresponding CyCl fabrics (Figure 4b,d) showed peaks of Cl at 2.55 keV 24 and the chloride contents in the corresponding fabrics were 0.31 ± 0.05 and 0.34 ± 0.06 wt %, respectively. After treating with Na 2 CO 3 , the Cl peak disappeared in the CyOH fabrics (Figure 4c,e) and the chloride content became 0, confirming that the chloride was completely replaced by −OH groups and the HDTA structure was formed on the CyOH fabrics.…”

Preparation of biocidal 4‐ethyl‐4‐(hydroxymethyl)oxazolidin‐2‐one‐basedN‐halamine polysiloxane for impregnation of polypropylene in supercritical CO2

“…Most commonly used biocidal groups are N ‐halamines, quaternary ammonia salts, and heavy‐metal ions . Wherein, N‐halamine is a biocidal compound with many advantages.…”

Controlling the Structure and Antimicrobial Function of N-Halamine-Based Polyurethane Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Networks

“…In response to the serious problems caused by microbial biofilm formation on solid surfaces, − antimicrobial polymers have attracted considerable research interest for a broad range of medical, environmental, industrial, and hygienic applications. − One strategy in the design of antimicrobial polymers is to incorporate N-halamines into the target materials to provide biocidal functions. − N-Halamines are compounds containing one or more nitrogen–halogen covalent bonds . Their antimicrobial potency is similar to that of chlorine bleach, one of the most widely use disinfectants, yet N-halamines are much more stable and less corrosive.…”

“…Their antimicrobial potency is similar to that of chlorine bleach, one of the most widely use disinfectants, yet N-halamines are much more stable and less corrosive. Therefore, different approaches, including copolymerization, grafting, blending, and coating, etc., − have been used to introduce N-halamines into conventional polymers to achieve antimicrobial functions.…”

“…In one of our previous studies, we developed a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) strategy to incorporate amine-based N-halamines into polyurethane (PU) . PU is one of the most commonly used polymers for various applications because of its wide availability, low cost, and excellent physical and biological properties, − but it is vulnerable to microbial colonization and biofilm formation.…”