Polymer-polymer composition of polyvinyl alcohol and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride for antimicrobial surface protection

Abstract

Since 2020, surface disinfection has become particularly relevant thus requiring improved approaches to its implementation. Conventional disinfectants comprising concentrated solutions or soluble tablets fail to fully comply with the need for antimicrobial protection of surfaces, calling for their repetitive application. This leads to considerable expenses, with the price of disinfectants rising by 30–50% over the past two years. In this article, agents characterised by prolonged action due to film-forming antimicrobial components having good adhesion to various surfaces are developed in order to reduce the cost of the disinfection procedure and increase its efficiency. In addition, such systems can be used as additives to water paint coatings for minor maintenance of medical and preventive institutions. These materials can significantly reduce the growth rate of the harmful bacteria population, as well as provide long-term protection against it. In order to implement this approach, the polymer-polymer composition based on polyvinyl alcohol and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride was developed. It should be noted that guanidine-containing polymers are characterised by high antimicrobial activity and low human toxicity, being also widely used as active agents in disinfectants. An excellent film-forming polymer exhibiting good adhesive properties, polyvinyl alcohol is non-toxic and chemically inert. Thus, the use of such additives can significantly reduce the extension of harmful bacteria, especially in crowded public areas.