Biocidal Polymers

 Contact: DI Julia Kienberger and Assoc. Prof. Christian Slugovc

Exemplary polymer active against a fungus, namely Aspergillus Niger

Steadily growing demands for healthy living and increasing hygienic standards require the establishment of antimicrobial materials for applications like water pipes, sanitary equipment and food processing. Coating of material surfaces with biocides is one key strategy for the development of materials with antimicrobial surfaces. Within this (temporary) approach, low-molecular weight antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, chlorinated phenols or Ag⁺-based compounds, have been generally used. Usage of those biocides has the limitation of residual toxicity for mammalians as well as the inherent environmental risk and the formation of bacterial resistance. Furthermore, due to the constant release of biocides, the antimicrobial activity of these materials will expire within time. Hence, it is desirable to substitute these low molecular weight substances by macromolecular antimicrobial agents (second permanent approach), where mere contact of microbes with the surface of a solid polymer is sufficient to provide the targeted antimicrobial effect.

An ideal antimicrobial polymer should be easily and inexpensively synthesized and remain stable in long-term usage and storage at the temperature of its intended application: Furthermore, it should not decompose and/or release toxic products and should not be toxic or irritating to those who are using it. Finally regeneration upon loss of activity is desirable and the polymer’s antimicrobial activity should cover a broad spectrum of pathogenic organisms.

Approach of ICTM's Research

In our laboratories we investigate the synthesis and biocidial action of several polycationic polymer classes and aim at their commercialization. 

For further reading see: "Contact Bactericides and Fungicides on the Basis of Amino-Functionalized Poly(norbornene)s." Kreutzwiesner, E.; Noormofidi, N.; Wiesbrock, F.; Kern, W.; Rametsteiner, K.; Stelzer, F.; Slugovc, C. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2010, 48, 4504-4514. DOI: 10.1002/pola.24241 and references therein.

and: "Antimicrobial Equipment of poly(Isoprene) Applying Thiol-ene Chemistry."
Kienberger, J.; Noormofidi, N.; Mühlbacher, I.; Klarholz, I.; Harms, C.; Slugovc, C. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. 2012, 50, 2236-2243. DOI: 10.1002/pola.26001

Framework of the Research

On this topic a research project is running:

• KONZID (FFG-Bridge)

People working on this topic: DI Julia Kienberger and Kathrin Bohnemann