Inclusion complexes enable multifunctional antibacterial polyurethane coatings
Polyurethane coatings developed with sulfonated β-cyclodextrin and nanocurcumin or nanoclay deliver antibacterial properties alongside improved mechanical and thermal stability.
A recent reserach highlights a breakthrough in coating technology: Haoran Wei and his team have developed a polyurethane (PU) coating with antimicrobial properties, based on inclusion complexes. This innovative design combines sulfonated β-cyclodextrin (CD1) with nanocurcumin or nanoclay, resulting in stable complexes confirmed by Raman studies and Job’s plot analysis.
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Using the co-precipitation method, CD1 was combined with Cloisite 30B (C30B) and nanocurcumin (NC), forming nanocomposite coatings with thermal stability up to 100 °C and a 78% increase in toughness. Additionally, the coatings demonstrated an antibacterial zone of inhibition of 2.3–3 cm, comparable to the effectiveness of amoxicillin.
Broader Application Potential
The absorption of these inclusion complexes into polymer coatings offers multifunctional benefits, such as hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, thermal stability, and low intumescence. These findings open up new possibilities for industrial applications that require both protection and antimicrobial capabilities.
Source: Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, Volume 21, pages 1291–1309, 2024
