Sunlight-activated biocidal and color-preserving surface chemistry for textiles

Overview

This technology is a sunlight-activated biocidal chemistry that can be permanently grafted onto carbon-based polymers, including PET, polyethylene, polypropylene, lignocellulosic fibers, and polysulfones. Once covalently attached, the chemistry actively kills gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at low concentrations, disrupting biofilm layers that lead to microbial enrichment on textile surfaces. The same surface modification shows promise for preventing discoloration and odor by altering surface energy, physisorption behavior, and fouling characteristics of fibers. Because the active agent is covalently bonded to the substrate, it offers durability advantages over conventional topical treatments, with light exposure further enhancing performance.

The chemistry has been scaled up to the 1 kg level at a production cost of approximately $0.33 per gram using standard chemical synthesis tools, making it compatible with dilute-solution application costs in textile finishing. It is effective regardless of whether it is chemically fixed to a substrate, though fixation significantly improves durability. The approach is differentiated from oxidative color-removal strategies because it targets prevention of fouling at the surface rather than requiring stoichiometric destruction of colored species.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Covalent grafting of biocidal chemistry to carbon-based polymers under sunlight exposure
• Broad-spectrum efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at low active concentrations
• Disruption of biofilm formation to prevent microbial enrichment on textile surfaces
• Potential to prevent discoloration, soiling, and odor through modified surface energy and reduced physisorption of fouling molecules
• Compatibility with PET, PE, PP, lignocellulosics, and polysulfones, including fibers with complex extrusion profiles
• Scalable synthesis using common chemical tools, demonstrated at the 1 kg scale
• Estimated dilute-solution application cost near $1.80 per kilogram of treated substrate

Supporting assets:

• Peer-reviewed publications from the originating research group
• Existing patent portfolio covering the core chemistry and grafting methods

Technology readiness level

The chemistry has been demonstrated at the 1 kg production scale and has been validated for biocidal efficacy on multiple polymer substrates in published studies. The patent portfolio protects the core technology. What has not yet been experimentally proven is the ability of the chemistry to prevent discoloration and preserve color in textile applications; this is the focus of a proposed research project. Future validation will include studying interactions with oxidizing agents commonly used in laundering (perchlorate and peroxide), colorimetric studies of treated fabrics, and investigation of how the surface modification reduces physisorption of fouling molecules. The laboratory is equipped to begin these studies immediately, with a minimum of one year of full-time research scientist effort required to complete the proposed work.