Alterbio

Leader of consortium:

SYNPO, akciová společnost

Consortium members:

Centrum organické chemie s.r.o., Fatra, a.s., Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně

Responsible person:

Ing. Kateřina Zetková

Duration of the work package:

01/2014 – 12/2019

Description:

The aims of this work package are the research and development of:

• Antimicrobial paint coatings including hygienic coatings
• Antimicrobial food foil

This work package will use the outputs from WP 3 and WP 4.

Antimicrobial coatings can be defined as coatings, which prevent microbial colonization of the the substrate. (The ideal requirements for
antimicrobial coatings are high, often contradictory). In practice, the selection of a suitable type of coating is decisive for specific applications
particularly with regards to the relationship between the required properties and price. The potential market for antimicrobial coatings is extensive
and the application and quality requirements are diverse. As a part of this WP the following systems will be developed : primer, basecoat and top
coats of wood, mineral substrates, plasters and facade elastomeric coatings.

Acrylic and polyurethane dispersions, a modified silicone/acrylic binder and a binder based on epoxy will be used.

Polymeric biocides and biocide polymers are used in paints in three variants:

1. Fundamental binder system coating
2. Polymeric additive as a part of the binder system
3. Masterbatch as filler
4. Antimicrobial food foil

Increasing demands on polymer materials have led to their further development and improvement in the field of their tailored preparation and
application. In some of the applications, the polymer products also possess an active function (e.g. protective and/or indicative), beside passive
functions such as packaging or structural function),. The polymeric materials with resistance against microbial colonization and pathogenic
microorganism spread (antimicrobial polymers) are/can be considered one of the examples of the active material functionality. The antimicrobial
polymers are expected to protect against colonization by pathogenic microorganisms, which can seriously affect human health and can have a
significant impact on economic situation. Generally, there are four ways of antimicrobial polymer modification – (i) surface modification without
the usage of antimicrobial agent; (ii) direct deposition of antimicrobial agent on the surface of the polymer product; (iii) surface modification and
chemical deposition of an antimicrobial agent and (iv) bulk modification.

The activities proposed within the WP5 will be primarily focused on the cheapest technique of the bulk modification of the polymer matrix with
relevant antimicrobial agent in a form of an additive and masterbatch. The crucial attention will be paid to polyethylene terephthalate matrix (PET)
with the perspective of the preparation of antimicrobial PET foils for food packaging as well as for various surface applications.

UPOL will apply the already patented technology of the covalent immobilization of silver NPs on plastic surfaces using polyethylenimine (PEI)
serving the simultaneous role of a reductant, covalent linker, and NP surface modifier/stabilizer (Patent No. 303502, 12/9 2012). The technology
will be optimized with respect to the type of the nature and structure of the plastic surface. The key variables will include i) the choice of the PEI
in a suitable molecular weight; ii) PEI concentration, ii) silver nitrate concentration, iii) reaction temperature, iv) reduction time.