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New antimicrobial (AM) coatings based on imidazolium salts have been prepared linking the imidazolium salts to the cotton fabric using siloxane oligomers as coupling agents. Three different imidazolium salts, linked to the siloxane oligomers connected to the cotton fabric either with ionic or covalent linkages, have been used. FTIR analysis shows that the imidazolium salts are linked to the cotton fabric. All the coatings prepared have high antimicrobial activity at both concentrations tested (3 and 10 wt%) and against a Gram positive and a Gram negative bacterium. The AM activity is mainly retained after 4 cycles of washing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(butylene terephthalate) ionomers with imidazolium groups selectively located as end-groups (telechelic) have been prepared by melt polycondensation adding a hydroxyl derivatized imidazolium salt at the beginning of the polymerization process. The design of the chemical structure of the imidazolium salt is of fundamental importance in order to achieve the synthesis of ionomers with good thermo-mechanical properties. The final ionomers present high molecular weight, good color, transparency and thermal stability. Imidazolium ionomers present good antimicrobial (AM) properties comparable with those of commercial AM agents. The incorporation of the ionic groups in the polymer chain prevents their migration during use and therefore the antimicrobial activity can be preserved for longer time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]