Regenerable Biocidal Nanocomposite Through a Green Process

Biocidal polymers began to find applications in areas where traditional small biocidal molecules are unable to compete. For example, biocidal polymers based on halamine chemistry have recently been introduced to disinfect water supply on aircrafts. Several major medical supply companies started marketing beddings, linens, and wipes treated with biocidal polymers to hospitals and nursing homes. However, the production of halamine polymer often requires hazardous materials and complex reaction conditions to carry out, and therefore is expensive to produce. As a result, the pace to develop new applications and penetrate into markets were small biocidal molecules dominate has been slow. LIPS, Inc. recognized the need of a low cost biocidal polymer in the market place and has risen to the challenge to develop a new class of biocidal nanocomposite through a green chemistry process. The production is carries out in a two-step process in water at ambient conditions using starting materials that are commercially available in large quantities. The nanocomposite thus made is capable of inactivating fecal coliform and E. Coli in wastewater samples collected from a wastewater treatment plant, achieving 99.999% reduction in less than 20 minutes of contact time. The biocidal nanocomposite is stable even after 6 months storage. In addition, by adopting methods commonly practiced in the textile industry, a process has been worked out to permanently fix to cellulose based substrate such as cotton textile. Envisioned applications range from biocidal filter to cotton based wipes for disinfection of water and homeland security applications such as decontamination of biologically contaminated equipment. In this Phase I proposal, we will further expand preliminary work on the development of this new class of biocidal nanocomposite. The objectives include characterization using additional analytical tools, evaluating antimicrobial efficacy of treated cotton fabric against both gram-positive and gram¬-negative microorganisms, and optimizing production process. Process parameters obtained will be used to perform cost analysis of producing value-added products in a Phase II proposal with the goal of eventual commercialization.