Air-ozonolysis activation of polyolefins versus use of laden finishing to form contact-active nonwoven materials.

Two synthetic approaches were explored for modification of the polyolefins polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) to form contact-active nonwoven materials. In the first approach, polymer surfaces were activated by O-free air-ozonolysis, and then the active agent (trimethoxysilyl) propyl-octadecyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (C18-TSA) was covalently bound. In the second approach, the active agent was directly conjugated to the commercial 'finishing' that was then applied to the polymer.

Air-ozonolysis to generate contact active antimicrobial surfaces: activation of polyethylene and polystyrene followed by covalent graft of quaternary ammonium salts.

Air-ozonolysis was revealed as an accessible and effective approach for surface activation and further functionalization of hydrocarbon polymers. Antimicrobial contact active polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) were designed by generation on their surfaces OH-functional groups and covalent graft of dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride (C18-TSA) quaternary ammonium salt. The shortened analog, trimethyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride (C1-TSA), was also covalently attached to the activated PE and PS surfaces.