ANTIMICROBIAL HYDROGELS

摘要

2092289 9206694 PCTABS00011 Antimicrobial thermoplastic hydrogels having various forms and shapes (e.g., particles, fibers, and film) and their method of manufacture are disclosed. These antimicrobial hydrogels are water-swollen, but water-insoluble and have an essentially non-leachable antimicrobial compound ionically bonded to a thermoplastic. The hydrogel comprises at least one vinyl addition interpolymer having pendant alkali metal carboxylate groups or salts thereof, and at least one essentially non-leachable cationic antimicrobial compound ionically bonded to substantially all of the pendant carboxylate groups. Cationic antimicrobial compounds such as quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., cetyl pyridinium chloride) are especially preferred. The antimicrobial hydrogels are stable to a variety of fluid media and can be dehydrated and subsequently rehydrated. The antimicrobial hydrogels can also be formed into dispersions and used to coat fibers and fabrics. The antimicrobial hydrogels are particularly useful in destroying microorganisms contained in aqueous fluid media.