Abstract
We present the characterization of commercially available Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB), a polymer with biocidal activity and several interesting properties that make this material suitable as a building block for supramolecular chemistry and “smart” materials. We studied polymer structure in water solution by dynamic light scattering, surface tension and capacitance spectroscopy. It shows typical surfactant behavior due to amphiphilic structure and low molecular weight. Spectroscopic (UV/Vis, FT-NIR) and thermal characterization (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, and thermogravimetric analysis, TGA) were performed to give additional insight into the material structure in solution and solid state. These results can be the foundation for more detailed investigations on usefulness of PHMB in new complex materials and devices.
Highlights
Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride, PHMB, is a cationic biocide marketed worldwide, due to its excellent antimicrobial activity, chemical stability, low toxicity and reasonable cost [1,2].Effectiveness against cellular organisms is due to the very basic biguanide group attached to a flexible spacer, a hexamethylene group
Koburger et al [5] compared the antiseptic efficacy of triclosan, octenidine, PHMB, PVP-Iodine and chlorexidine digluconate; they concluded that PHMB was the most widely used antiseptic when prolonged use is needed and/or when prolonged contact is feasible
Reports about molecular weight of PHMB cite determinations made by gel permeation chromatography, which results in values of weight-averaged molecular weight
Summary
Poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride, PHMB, is a cationic biocide marketed worldwide, due to its excellent antimicrobial activity, chemical stability, low toxicity and reasonable cost [1,2]. Effectiveness against cellular organisms is due to the very basic biguanide group attached to a flexible spacer, a hexamethylene group. Maximal biocidal efficiency is obtained when six methylene groups are used as spacer between biguanide groups [3,4]. Kaehn reviewed the mode of action and established applications of PHMB as biocide [4]. To further study the mechanism of biocide action of PHMB, we recommend the reader to read [4] and references listed therein
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