UV-Curable Antibacterial and Hydrophilic Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane-Based Materials Functionalized with Dimethyloctadecyl[3-(Trimethoxysilyl)Propyl] Ammonium Iodide

Despite the fact that polyurethanes (PUs) are widely used in many fields such as sectors, coatings, and adhesives, they are produced from dangerous and harmful isocyanates. Meanwhile, petroleum-based polyols are important raw materials for producing PUs, which need to be replaced due to the rising concerns regarding energy crisis, the depletion of fossil resources, and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, developing antibacterial materials for food packaging is essential for food safety and human health. To the meet these requirements, UV-curable antibacterial and hydrophilic NIPU-based materials were developed. After the NIPU-based diol was prepared by a CO2-fixing raw material, ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium iodide, and thiol-functionalized silicone, and NIPU-modified prepolymers (SiNPs) were synthesized. Simultaneously, an acrylate prepolymer was synthesized through the reaction of a trifunctional primary amine, JEFFAMINET-403, and neopentyl glycol propoxylate diacrylate. Later, the target materials were produced by a thiole-ene initiated UV-curing method from SiNPs and the acrylate prepolymer, which demonstrated quite good hydrophilicity with surface water contact angles (WCA) in the range of 36.0–55.9°, good initial thermal decomposition temperatures (Td5) in the range of 215.6–232.1 °C, and high antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) reached 99%. The food packaging experiment revealed that the materials can extend the shelf life of beef due to their good antibacterial performance.