Antiviral Polymers Based on N-Halamine Polyurea

N-halamines are a commonly applied class of antimicrobial agents used for a variety of applications relating to human health. Here, we present the modulation of the common polymers polyurea and polyguanidine with the N-halamine technology. The N–H bonds in either polymer were converted to N–Cl or N–Br bonds capable of releasing Cl+or Br+cations to aqueous media as antiviral agents. Controlled release of the oxidizing agents was monitored for a period of 4 weeks. Antiviral activity was evaluated against the T4 bacteriophage as well as against the highly stable plant virus belonging to the Tobamovirusgenus, tomato brown rugose fruit virus. The incorporation of the N-halamine technology on commonly used polymers has effectively introduced antiviral functionality for a wide variety of potential applications.