A great challenge of modern humankind is the prevention of the spread of diseases, for example the various dangerous influenza types or the most recent EHEC outbreak in Europe. Since many diseases are spread via surfaces, the development of materials that do not allow microbes to survive or at least to proliferate is in focus of material research ever since. Modifications that kill microbes on contact or render themselves antimicrobial in case of a microbial infection only are the most advanced systems. Here, designs that lead to contact-active antimicrobial surfaces by surface grafted antimicrobial polymers and biocidal groups will be presented with particular focus on self-organizing systems. Further, we suggest possible microbe-killing mechanisms of such materials based on surfaces with grafted antimicrobial polymers, such as poly(4-vinyl-N-methylpyridinium iodide), antimicrobial quarternary ammonium functions on inert polymeric spacers, and surfaces directly modified with such groups.

Antimicrobial surfaces derived by surface-grafted biocidal groups: Designs and mechanisms

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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