Method of creating a sustained silicon-containing quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent within a polymeric material

A method of imparting sustained antimicrobial properties to a polymeric material comprising:

• (a) providing an antimicrobial first polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution;
• (b) providing at least one of a second monomer and a polymer, each not containing functionality that will react with the first silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer;
• and
• (c) blending the silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt solution with at least one of the second monomer and the polymer under conditions whereby the first silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer is polymerized to form a homopolymer that is blended with at least one of the second monomer and the polymer to form a blended polymer, such that the blended polymer has sustained antimicrobial properties.

A method of making a concentrate for a resin having sustained antimicrobial properties comprising:

• (a) providing an antimicrobial polymerizable silicon-containing quaternary ammonium salt monomer in a solvent to form a quaternary ammonium salt solution;
• (b) providing a solid polymer to be treated, wherein the solid polymer is in the form of at least one of powder, beads, pellets and flakes;
• (c) treating the solid polymer by one of spraying and slurrying the solid polymer without dissolving the solid polymer in the quaternary ammonium salt solution to thereby coat the solid polymer with the quaternary ammonium salt solution;
• and
• (d) drying the coated solid polymer to form the concentrate, wherein, when the concentrate is blended with a resin, the resin will have sustained antimicrobial properties.