Highly dispersible anti-microbial and adhesion agents

Abstract

Compositions of matter having anti-microbial properties and/or adhesion properties. The compositions of matter are be highly dispersible in aqueous solutions. The presence of a large number of silanols on the molecules of the compositions creates a solubility or disperseability for these molecules in aqueous solutions that is not otherwise obtainable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing the number of one or more micro-organisms, said method comprising:
 i. providing one or more micro-organisms;   ii. treating said one or more micro-organisms provided with a composition having the average formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          wherein the average molar ratio of x:y:z is 0.25-3:4:0.25-3, with the proviso that there is present at least one RSi-unit and at least one R′Si unit; 
          wherein W is independently selected from the group consisting essentially of Si, Ti, and Zr, and Al; 
          wherein R is a cure functionality based on the chemistry selected from the group consisting of glycidoxy, amino, acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylate, methacrylate, C 2 -C 8 alkenyl, mercapto, ester, isocyanato, epoxycyclohexyl, carboxylic acid, and 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
           wherein p has a value of from 1 to 6; 
           wherein R 3  is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and alkoxy 
          groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; 
          wherein R 2  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein s has a value of about 1 to 5; 
         wherein y has a value of 4; 
         wherein R 1  is selected from the group consisting of: 
         a. a sulfonium salt of the formula:
   Si(R 5 ) 2 C d H 2d S + (R 4 ) 2 X −   
 
           wherein R 4  is independently an alkyl group or aralkyl group 
          wherein there is a total of less than 60 carbon atoms in the molecule, R 5  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          wherein d is an integer of 1 or greater, and 
          wherein X −  is a water soluble monovalent anion; 
         b. an isothiuronium salt of the formula:
   Si(R 5 ) 2 C d H 2d S + C(NH 2 ) 2 X − , 
 
          wherein R 5  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          wherein d is an integer of 1 or greater, and 
          wherein X −  is a water soluble monovalent anion; 
         c. a phosphonium salt of the formula:
   Si(R 5 ) 2 C d H 2d P + (R 6 ) 3 X −   
 
          wherein R 6  is independently selected from an alkyl group or aralkyl group wherein there is a total of less than 60 carbon atoms in the molecule, R 5  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          wherein d is an integer of 1 or greater, and 
          wherein X −  is a water soluble monovalent anion; and 
         d. an amine of the formula:
   Si(R 5 ) 2 C d H 2d N(H)(C d H 2d )NH 2    
 
          wherein R 5  is independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
          wherein d is an integer of 1 or greater; and 
         wherein (WO y ) is derived from W(OR 7 ) 4 where (OR 7 ) is independently selected from the group consisting of: 
         A.—OCH 3 , 
         B.—OCH 2 CH 3 , 
         C.—OCH(CH 3 ) 2 , 
         D.—O(CH 2 ) 3 CH 3 , 
         E.—OCH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 , 
         F.—O(2-ethylhexyl), 
         G. acetoxy, and 
         H. oximo. 
       
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition has anti-microbial and/or adhesion properties. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more micro-organisms are one or more bacteria. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more bacteria are Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more micro-organisms are one or more viruses. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more micro-organisms are one or more algae. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more micro-organisms are one or more mildews. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more micro-organisms are one or more molds. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing said composition with one or more ionomers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said one or more ionomers are one or more glass ionomers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said one or more ionomers are one or more modified glass ionomers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of applying said composition to a surface or substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding said composition into an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said composition is soluble and dispersible within said aqueous solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said solubility and disperseability of said composition within said aqueous solution is due to a large number of silanols. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method providing said composition is performed without the addition of heat to reduce gelation of said composition. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is a gel or a liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing an amount of water from said composition to provide a substantially solid material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said solid material composition is substantially crystalline, substantially waxy, or substantially paste-like. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a catalyst for hydrolysis and condensation of said composition.