POLYELECTROLYTE COMPLEX FOR IMPARTING ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES TO A SUBSTRATE

摘要

Anionic polyelectrolytes are used as binding agents to reduce the solubility of cationic antimicrobial polyelectrolytes. Ionic attraction between the anionic stabilizing polyelectrolytes and the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolytes results in formation of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC). A treatment liquid comprising a stable colloid, suspension, dispersion, solution, coacervate, or emulsion of the PEC in an aqueous carrier is used to treat an absorbent substrate, thus coating, infiltrating, or infusing the PEC onto or into the substrate. Subsequent drying results in a modified substrate which is bound to the substrate and is significantly less prone, relative to either of the component polyelectrolytes, to being washed, leached, leaked, extracted, or migrated from the substrate during use, or when exposed to aqueous fluids or solvents. The modified substrate can be further treated with ethylene oxide which enahnces its antimicrobial efficacy, its biocompatibility, and its utility in wound dressings, medical devices, clothing, etc.