The grafted carbendazim and 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl group onto polyurethane to improve its antifungal effectiveness and hydrophilicity

Abstract

The antifungal agent carbendazim and the water-compatible functional group 2,4,6-tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (TDMP) were jointly grafted to polyurethane (PU) to develop a water-compatible antifungal PU. The water compatibility of the PU surface improved strikingly after the protonation of TDMP, as confirmed by water contact angle tests. The combined grafting of carbendazim and TDMP affected the melting and glass transition of soft segments and sharply increased the tensile stress and shape recovery capability. Carbendazim was selected as a grafted antifungal functional group due to its wide effective range of antifungal activity and its large production volume. PUs with grafted carbendazim and TDMP completely suppressed the growth of a mixture of fungi, unlike ordinary PU. Therefore, the joint grafting of both carbendazim and TDMP led to improved water compatibility, breaking tensile stress, shape recovery capability, and antifungal activity.