Introduction

The compounds developed and described in the present patent, incorporated in high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinylchloride (PVC), show a powerful antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, through an infinitesimal release of Ag ion (I), practically by contact. For other commercially available composite materials, impregnated with silver nanoparticles, initially the release of Ag (I) ions is very high but tends to decrease rapidly and the antibacterial action ceases once the silver load in the composite is depleted, thus limiting over time the use of these materials.

Technical features

The present patent describes silver complexes as powerful antibacterial agents which can be applied as additives in very low concentration (1: 1000 in mass) for plastic materials, which avoid migration and excessive release of Ag (I) ions, obtaining greater efficiency over time. antibacterial activity and less toxicity to the environment. The compounds developed and described are insoluble in most solvents, and being thermally very stable, they can be incorporated by extrusion in high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinylchloride (PVC), to give homogeneous composite materials that maintain the same mechanical properties of the host polymer matrix, but with a high surface antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, through an infinitesimal release of Ag (I) ions, practically by contact. For other commercially available composite materials, impregnated with silver nanoparticles, initially the release of Ag (I) ions is very high but tends to decrease rapidly and the antibacterial action ceases once the silver load in the composite is depleted, thus limiting over time the use of these materials.

Possible Applications

• Production of antibacterial devices for the bio-medical sector with minimal release of silver ions into the environment;
• Use in the footwear industry for the production of antibacterial soles / shoes;
• Use in the packaging sector for the production of packaging with antibacterial properties;
• Potentially use in sectors that need to produce devices or composite products with antibacterial properties (eg floorings, tiles, furniture, surfaces, etc.).

Advantages

• Availability of antibacterial materials with minimal release of silver ions in the environment;
• Persistence over time of a high antibacterial power of the composite materials developed
  lower environmental impact.