Anti-biofouling Polymer

About

Brief Description: We offer a polymer with permanent bacteria-adhesion inhibition properties for use in applications that require anti-biofouling measures. The polymer can be spun into nanofibres for use in the production of filtration membranes or included in biofouling-resistant surface coatings. Target Market: Materials producers in a variety of areas (textile, coating, filtration membranes, etc) that require anti-biofouling applications for nano- filtration and other water treatment systems.   Value Proposition/Benefits: The polymer modification is simple and can easily be combined with other modifications of the polymer, such as the quaternary ammonium salt antimicrobial functionality described in a previous patent application made by the inventors, to create a wider spectrum of protection. Competitive Advantages: Most techniques rely on leaching of the furanones, which is undesirable because of resultant loss of activity or pollution of water by the leaching compound. Other techniques rely on tedious procedures to overcome the problems of leaching. This anti-biofouling polymer is cheap to manufacture and is easily mass produced using a simple chemical modification of a commercially available base polymer. The principle has been demonstrated and test results carried out on a nonwoven nanofibrous membrane have been recorded. The application is very likely not limited to nanofibres. Solutions for specific requirements can be negotiated. Technical Description: The ability of brominated furanones and other furanone compounds with 2(3H) and 2(5H) cores to inhibit bacterial adhesion of surfaces as well deactivate or destroy them has been previously reported. In this invention, two furanone derivatives are synthesized with a dangling spacer that contains a primary amine functionality. The resulting functional group is covalently attached to a poly(styrene-co- maleic anhydride) copolymer and electrospun into nonwoven nanofibrous mats. The material, which can easily be mass produced, can be electrospun onto suitable support substrates for the production of filters and membranes. The resulting filters, membranes or coatings display permanent, non-leaching anti-biofouling properties that are useful for water purification systems. Innovation Status: South African Provisional Patent Application No: 2012/05454. PCT international patent application no. PCT/IB2013/055948. Several national phase patent applications are underway.