Nonleaching Biocidal N-Halamine-Functionalized Polyamine-, Guanidine-, and Hydantoin-Based Coatings

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Antimicrobial fibrous materials offer real-time microorganism deactivation for repeated use and reduced infections.
• Antiviral polymer coatings can enhance surface functionality against current and future viral threats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a straightforward method for creating biocidal surfaces using polymers with nucleophilic biguanide, guanidine, and hydantoin groups.
• To create stable, nonleaching, and reusable antiviral coatings on various fabrics and glass fibers.

Main Methods:

• Covalent attachment of biocidal polymers (PVG, PAH, PVAm, PHMB) onto solid supports via siloxane or isocyanate precursors.
• Halogenation of polymer-coated fabrics using sodium hypochlorite or hypobromous acid to form N-halamine surfaces (>N-Cl or >N-Br).
• Testing coating stability through multiple laundry cycles and evaluating antiviral efficacy against human respiratory coronavirus.

Main Results:

• Developed stable, nonleaching, and reusable polymer coatings on cotton, nylon-cotton, and glass fiber fabrics.
• Achieved high content of active N-halamine groups (>N-Cl or >N-Br) on the coated surfaces.
• Demonstrated complete inactivation of human respiratory coronavirus via contact killing, with surfaces reusable after recharging.

Conclusions:

• The developed grafting and halogenation methods provide a viable route to create durable, reusable biocidal N-halamine surfaces.
• These antiviral coatings show significant potential for applications requiring microbial inactivation and protection against viral pandemics.
• The materials maintain their hydrophilic character and biocidal properties after multiple uses and recharging cycles.