Magnetically Cured Macroradical Epoxy as Antimicrobial Coating

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal an Asian journal, 2023-07, Vol.18 (13), p.e202300237-n/a
• Main Authors: Capricho, Jaworski C., Liao, Tzu‐Ying, Chai, Boon Xian, Al‐Qatatsheh, Ahmed, Vongsvivut, Jitraporn (Pimm), Kingshott, Peter, Juodkazis, Saulius, Fox, Bronwyn Louise, Hameed, Nishar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Biocides; biofilms; Chemistry; Curing; Diamines; epoxy resins; Infrared spectroscopy; Liquid chromatography; magnetic materials; Magnetic properties; Magnets; microbiological influence corrosion; Monomers; Photoelectrons; Polymer blends; Polymerization; Protective coatings; Rheological properties; Spectrum analysis; stable nitroxide radicals
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.202300237

The radical‐bearing epoxy monomer could be the ideal embodiment of multifunctionality in epoxy‐based materials. This study demonstrates the potential of macroradical epoxies as surface coating materials. A diepoxide monomer derivatized with a stable nitroxide radical is polymerized with a diamine hardener under the influence of a magnetic field. The magnetically oriented and stable radicals in the polymer backbone render the coatings antimicrobial. The unconventional use of magnets during polymerization proved crucial in correlating the structure‐property relationships with antimicrobial performance inferred from oscillatory rheological technique, polarized macro‐attenuated total reflectance – infrared (macro‐ATR‐IR) spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The magnetic thermal curing influenced the surface morphology, resulting in a synergy of the coating's radical nature with microbiostatic performance assessed using the Kirby‐Bauer test and liquid chromatography – mass spectroscopy (LC–MS). Further, the magnetic curing of blends with a traditional epoxy monomer demonstrates that radical alignment is more critical than radical density in imparting biocidal behavior. This study shows how the systematic use of magnets during polymerization could pave for probing more significant insights into the mechanism of antimicrobial action in radical‐bearing polymers. Antimicrobial potential of magnetically cured macroradical epoxy coatings. Surface segregation of stable radicals under a magnetic field render the epoxy coatings microbiostatic.