US EPA

6654585 

Journal Article 

Biocidal polymers 

Worley, SD; Sun, G; , 

1996 

ELSEVIER SCI LTD 

OXFORD 

364-370 

WOS:A1996VV10400003 

Recent work in the emerging field of biocidal polymers is reviewed. The polymers have been divided into five classes: polymeric quaternary ammonium materials, polymeric phosphonium materials, halogenated polystyrene-divinylbenzene sulfonamides, polymeric N-halamines and others. Advantages, limitations and possible commercial uses of the various polymers are discussed. It is suggested that the quaternary ammonium and phosphonium materials have potential primarily in the area of anchored films that inactivate microorganisms upon direct contact, whereas the new insoluble polymeric N-halamines have greatest potential as biocidal filters for flowing water and air. The authors' views of characteristics that should be possessed by the ideal biocidal polymer are presented.