Smart elastomer sanitizer with chemically bonded active compound and on‐demand‐release antimicrobial functionalities

Abstract

Hand or surface sanitizers are all liquid‐based products which can be mainly categorized as alcohol or non‐alcohol based. The constant release of highly persistent disinfectants and chemicals is hazardous to the environment and human health. Herein, a new concept of solid elastomer sanitizer with inherent fast‐killing antimicrobial property is described. Silicone (PDMS) was chosen as the elastomer where the active antimicrobial component of imidazolium polymer (PIM) was carefully modified and incorporated into the PDMS matrix through strong covalent bonds. This chemically bonded antimicrobial component within PDMS acts via release‐on‐demand model which allows for the long‐term reusability of the material. The resulting material can serve as a reusable solid sanitizer that is toxic‐free and skin‐friendly with fast‐killing property. It was proven to sanitize our hands or surfaces and kill microbes within 30–60 s of contact, including ESKAPE pathogens, bacteria, fungi and MS2 bacteriophage. This new concept of solid sanitizer methodology will provide an interesting insight and infinite possibilities for extending to other types of elastomers with suitable or tunable antimicrobial components. This also helps to provide a safer and greener sanitizing model which can dramatically reduce the usage and/or release of disinfectants or harmful chemicals to the environment. The possibilities of extending to other elastomers also widen its potential applications.

Redox Active Zn@MOFs as Spontaneous Reactive Oxygen Species Releasing Antimicrobials

“…PU-Zn@MOF materials were evaluated for their durability by “accelerated aging” and “surface wipe” tests . Accelerated aging test results indicated that the PU-Zn@MOF materials had excellent durability (Figure a).…”

“…PU-Zn@MOF materials were evaluated for their durability by "accelerated aging" 39 and "surface wipe" tests. 40 Accelerated aging test results indicated that the PU-Zn@MOF materials had excellent durability (Figure 5a). The antimicrobial efficacies against E. coli and S. aureus were maintained at >6 log reduction following 2 months of aging treatment (equivalent to 2 years of shelf life under normal conditions).…”