Controlled iodine release from polyurethane sponges for water decontamination

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Iodine-based water purification methods are crucial for public health.
• Developing controlled-release iodine systems is key for effective and safe water treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize iodinated polyurethane (IPU) sponges for water purification.
• To evaluate the controlled iodine release and antimicrobial efficacy of EVA-coated IPU sponges.

Main Methods:

• Iodine adsorption onto polyurethane sponges.
• Characterization using XPS and SEM.
• Coating with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) for controlled release.
• Water purifier testing for microbial inactivation (E. coli, MS2 phage) and iodine release.

Main Results:

• IPU sponges achieved high iodine adsorption (up to 100% w/w).
• EVA-coated IPU sponges demonstrated controlled iodine release.
• Exceeded bacterial removal requirements (>7.1-8 log reduction).
• Achieved significant MS2 phage reduction (1.32-5.11 log reduction) across different water conditions.

Conclusions:

• EVA-coated IPU sponges are effective for controlled iodine release and microbial inactivation in water.
• These iodinated PU systems offer a viable solution for producing safe drinking water.
• Potential applications as disinfectants in medicine warrant further investigation.