Development and evaluation of antimicrobial PVC-grafted polymer for enhanced paint applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Growing demand for antimicrobial coatings to control microbial growth and infection risks.
• Need for advanced materials in health and safety applications.
• Development of innovative solutions for protective paint technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel poly(vinyl chloride) grafted polymer with 1-(2-aminoethyl piperazine) (PVC-g-AEP).
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and surface properties of the developed polymer.
• To assess the performance of the polymer when incorporated into commercial paint formulations.

Main Methods:

• Polymer synthesis and characterization using FTIR, NMR, TGA, and DSC.
• Antimicrobial activity assessment via agar diffusion method against S. aureus, E. coli, M. smegmatis, and C. albicans.
• Surface analysis using SEM and AFM after incorporating the polymer into paint.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and characterization of PVC-g-AEP.
• Significant antimicrobial inhibition zones observed at low concentrations (12.5 μg mL-1).
• Incorporation into paint increased porosity 5-fold, maintained aesthetics, and retained ~90% antimicrobial activity after 15 washes.

Conclusions:

• The developed PVC-g-AEP polymer exhibits strong antimicrobial properties and enhances paint durability.
• This material represents a significant advancement in high-performance antimicrobial coatings.
• The findings pave the way for next-generation protective paint technologies.