US 7,405,006 B2 · Method of treating surfaces for self-sterilization and microbial growth resistance

Abstract

Coating composition, articles, and methods for applying reactive silanol coating compositions having electron deficient surfaces formed as the coating composition cures wherein organic radical groups from the silanes are forced to the surface of the coating. The silicon atoms in the interpenetrating silicon-oxygen structure below retain electrons skewing the electron cloud downward creating an electron deficient or net positively charged surface. The resultant surface exhibits self-sterilization without toxic biocide additives due to the electron deficient surface. The surface is also extremely tight and thereby absent nutrients for microorganisms, discouraging organic growth such as mold. This unique positively charged surface further exhibits both hydrophobic and oleophobic qualities providing ease of cleaning for maintenance, particularly for hospital beds, equipment, floors, walls, curtains, bathrooms, or all the surfaces inside and outside of an ambulance and the equipment contained therein. Similarly, buildings and their contents, construction materials, and infrastructure can be made self-decontaminating and greatly simplify cleaning from potential bio-warfare agents.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method of forming a thin coating of interpenetrating polysiloxane with organic moieties predominantly oriented toward the exposed surface of said coating to produce a permanent positive surface potential of said coating onto a substrate rendering the surface bio-static, self-sterilizing, or remediable, said method comprising the steps of:

A. providing a reactive silanol as an aqueous or non-aqueous dispersion of a partial condensate of monomethyl or monethyl silanol by hydrolyzing monomethyl or monethyl alkoxysilane;
B. dispersing said reactive silanol in an alcohol or water or both to form an admixture;
C. applying said admixture to the substrate;
D. allowing said admixture to cure and harden into an interpenetrating polysiloxane with organic moieties predominantly oriented toward said exposed surface forming a permanent positive surface potential of said coating to produce the bio-static, self-sterilizing and remediable said exposed surface;
and
E. further curing said coating by applying a hardener composed of water or acidified water and epoxy or amino silanes, said hardener being applied by mechanical polishing at ambient temperatures wherein a hard, low porosity interpenetrating network of organosolixanes with organic moieties oriented toward the surface is formed atop the substrate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of treating surfaces for self-sterilization and microbial growth resistance

Life of this patent

Method of treating surfaces for self-sterilization and microbial growth resistance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26