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Dual functional ionic liquids as plasticisers and antimicrobial agents for medical polymers

Poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) accounts for 25% of all plastics used in medical devices. There is strong evidence that conventional phthalate esters used as plasticizers for PVC are reprotoxic. This seminal paper describes the use of multifunctional ionic liquids as additives for polymers, and was selected as an ‘Editors Highlight’ (see blogs.rsc.org/gc/2011/05/06/ionic-liquids-as-dual-functional-anti-microbial-agents-and-plasticisers-in-medical-devices/). It describes the preparation of polymer-ionic liquid blends using melt extrusion and reports the plasticizing effectiveness of two novel ionic liquids and their efficacy as anti-microbial agents and in preventing biofilm formation, most notably against antibiotic resistant MRSA. It has been applied by Professor Peter Halley (p.halley@uq.edu.au).