An environmentally friendly coating: Excellent self-cleaning, efficient antimicrobial, and durability properties

The development of non-polluting and non-toxic polymer antimicrobial agents is a prominent focus in contemporary research and development. Polymer quaternary ammonium salts are particularly promising for their antimicrobial efficacy. In this study, we synthesized quaternary imidazole derivatives using butylimidazole and 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane. We then prepared PDMS/BIS/PPS hydrophobic antimicrobial composite coatings by incorporating quaternary ammonium salt chemically grafted silica (BIS), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The resulting composite coating displayed a high contact angle of 136.4°±1° and a low sliding angle of less than 5°±1°, indicating its hydrophobic nature. Electrochemical assessments demonstrated exceptional corrosion resistance, with a corrosion inhibition rate of 99.967 %. Bacterial assays confirmed the coating's effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial proliferation, especially against E. coli. The quaternary ammonium-modified silica particles in the coating facilitate bacterial adsorption through electrostatic interactions, which compromise cell membrane permeability, obstruct nutrient uptake, and induce apoptosis. With its anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosion properties, this coating has substantial potential for applications in various fields, including medical devices, and food packaging.