Cationic Conjugated Microporous Polymers Coating for Dual‐Modal Antimicrobial Inactivation with Self‐Sterilization and Reusability Functions

Abstract

AbstractCOVID‐19 pandemic outbreak poses a great threat to human health. Face masks have been considered as important personal protective equipment to prevent the COVID‐19 transmission. However, pathogens can survive up to several days on the fabrics of commercial masks, which increases the risk of direct/indirect microbial transmission. Herein, new cationic conjugated microporous polymers (CCMPs)‐based coating is developed, which possesses extended π‐conjugated skeletons and massive quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) groups, exhibiting dual‐modal antimicrobial inactivation, including sunlight‐driven photodynamic sterilization through the generation of reactive oxygen species and contact sterilization through QAS groups. As a result, the CCMPs coatings can rapidly and efficiently eradicate 99% of model microbes, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under solar illumination, and also ensure the great antimicrobial effect in the absence of light. More importantly, the CCMPs coatings exhibit excellent durability, reusability as well as antimicrobial stability in humid environment. Contributing to the outstanding processability and formability, CCMPs can be in situ synthesized and coated over fibers through a simple spray procedure. Taken together, the design provides a promising strategy for developing reusable and self‐sterilizing antimicrobial fabrics, particularly for the application of face masks to tackle infectious pathogen and viruses in daily protection and medical applications.