OPIHAS demonstrates a simple method for creating antimicrobial silicones
This work introduces a one-step strategy that is suitable for continuous flow manufacturing of antimicrobial PDMS materials.The process is based on the intrinsic capacity of PDMS to react to certain organic solvents, which enables the incorporation ofantimicrobial actives such as salicylic acid (SA), which has been approved for use in humans within pharmaceutical products.
By combining different spectroscopic and imaging techniques, our team were able to show that the surface properties of PDMS remain unaffected while high doses of the SA are loaded inside the PDMS matrix. The SA can be subsequently released under physiological conditions,delivering a strong antibacterial activity.
The full paper is available to read here.