Polymeric Antimicrobial N-Halamine-Surface Modification of Stainless Steel (original) (raw)

The surfaces of materials fabricated from stainless steel are challenging 13 to functionalize with antimicrobial moieties. This work demonstrates that stainless steel 14 surfaces can be modified with an N-halamine-based copolymer in order to obtain antimicrobial activity. In this regard a copolymer (HACM) of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-16 (5-methylhydantoinyl)propane and 3-cloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate was 17 synthesized and grafted onto a stainless steel surface via covalent attachment. 18 Synthesized monomers and copolymers were characterized by NMR, FTIR, and XPS 19 spectral analyses. Upon treatment with dilute bleach, the stainless steel surfaces were 20 rendered antimicrobial, possessing a sufficient amount of chlorine content and excellent 21 stability and durability. The modified stainless steel samples inactivated 6 logs of 22 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria within 15 min of contact 23 time. Stabilities of the coatings toward washing and UVA exposure were also studied. 24 The stainless steel samples showed superior washing stabilities and re-generabilities. 25 After 5 cycles of washing, there was a very minimal change in the initial chlorine 26 contents, and the chlorine content could be recharged to its initial number of Cl + 27 atoms/cm 2. However, only a moderate stability of the coatings was observed after UVA 28 irradiation. These results indicate that N-halamine precursor polymers can be facilely 29 applied to stainless steel surfaces by covalent bonding, and that robust, re-generable 30 antimicrobial stainless steel surfaces could be prepared via the N-halamine technology. 31 This technology exhibits potential for use in food processing, prevention of biofilm 32 formation, and in biomedical and health-care industries to support the prevention and 33 reduction of cross-contamination and health-care related infections. 34