Antibacterial Povidone-Iodine-Conjugated Cross-Linked Polystyrene Resin for Water Bacterial Decontamination

Bacterial contamination in water purification systems is generating significant concern as a global health issue. In this paper, we describe fabricating antibacterial povidone-iodine-conjugated cross-linked polystyrene resins (i.e., P(St-DVB-NVP)-I₂) and investigating them as antimicrobial agents for water decontamination. Comprehensive antibacterial tests showed that the addition of povidone-iodine to polystyrene resins resulted in strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the as-synthesized P(St-DVB-NVP)-I₂ was confirmed to have hydrophobicity and favorable biocompatibility. We then examined the possibility of using P(St-DVB-NVP)-I₂ as an antibacterial filter for water treatment and found that it could efficiently remove bacteria from water. An analog experiment demonstrated that the capability of P(St-DVB-NVP)-I₂ for water bacterial decontamination was not influenced by the presence of mineral ions in the water. Most significantly, we confirmed the potential reusability of P(St-DVB-NVP)-I₂ through a recycling test. This method of creating an antibacterial resin by building a conjugation of cross-linked polystyrene with povidone-iodine is safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, and the resin shows promise for use in water purification filters.