Research Article
Songara Kunjan Singh, Jain Ana
Abstract
Complex epidemiological situation, nosocomial infections, microbial contamination, and infection risks in hospital and dental equipment have led to an ever-growing need for prevention of microbial infection in these various areas. Macromolecular systems, due to their properties, allow one to efficiently use them in various fields, including the creation of polymers with the antimicrobial activity. N-halamine siloxane coatings can be rendered biocidal by exposure to dilute bleach. Once the bound chlorine is lost from the coatings, it can be regenerated by further exposure to dilute bleach. Polysiloxanes with 3-(alkyldimethylammonio) propyl pendant groups was synthesized by quaternization of n-octyldimethylamine with linear polysiloxanes containing 3-chloropropyl groups attached to silicon atoms. The polysiloxanes bearing quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) showed bactericidal activity when incorporated in a polysiloxane network. The activity was retained after 60 days of immersion in water. This paper briefly highlights mechanism of action, synthetic schemes and biocidal efficacy data as well as major applications of antimicrobial polymers