To combat the global threat posed by surface-adhering pathogens that are becoming increasingly drug-resistant, we explore the anti-infective efficacy of bulk thermoplastic elastomer films containing ∼1 wt % zinc-tetra(4- N-methylpyridyl)porphine (ZnTMPyP), a photoactive antimicrobial that utilizes visible light to generate singlet oxygen. This photodynamic polymer is capable of inactivating five bacterial strains and two viruses with at least 99.89% and 99.95% success, respectively, after exposure to noncoherent light for 60 min. Unlike other anti-infective methodologies commonly requiring oxidizing chemicals, carcinogenic radiation, or toxic nanoparticles, our approach is nonspecific and safe/nontoxic, and sustainably relies on the availability of just oxygen and visible light.
To combat the growing global healthcare threat from drug-resistant pathogens, we demonstrate that midblock-sulfonated block polymers can kill 99.9999% of “superbugs,” including bacteria and viruses, in just 5 minutes due to an abrupt pH reduction.
Anti-infective materials based upon renewable nanocellulose–porphyrin conjugates photodynamically inactivated four strains of drug-resistant bacteria and two viruses by 99.999+%.
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