Abstract: A polymer compound (I) with bacteria-adhesion inhibition properties against bacteria such as P. aeruginosa Xen 5, E. coli Xen 14, S. typhimurium Xen 26, S. aureus Xen 36 and K. pneumoniae Xen 39 is described. The group R is provided by a substituted furanone linked by an alkyl chain or, more preferably a hydrophilic moiety such as oligo(ethylene oxide) ((CH2—CH2—O)i) to the polymer backbone. The group R may be the same or different along the polymer backbone. The invention also provides nanofibers and coatings which include a polymer compound as defined above.

Abstract: A polymer compound (I) with bacteria-adhesion inhibition properties against bacteria such as P. aeruginosa Xen 5, E. coli Xen 14, S. typhimurium Xen 26, S. aureus Xen 36 and K. pneumoniae Xen 39 is described. The group R is provided by a substituted furanone linked by an alkyl chain or, more preferably a hydrophilic moiety such as oligo(ethylene oxide) ((CH2—CH2—O)i) to the polymer backbone. The group R may be the same or different along the polymer backbone. The invention also provides nanofibres and coatings which include a polymer compound as defined above.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer compound is provided having the formula (I) in which R is selected to provide acceptable characteristics to the compound. R is preferably selected from simple alkyl chains having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms; tertiary amine groups having short chain alkyl groups with from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms; aromatic compounds having only one aromatic ring with one or more simple substituents such as hydroxide; and quaternary ammonium salts, preferably bromide or iodide, wherein the substituents are short chain alkyl groups with from 1 to 15 carbon atoms and generally no more than 4 or 6 carbon atoms. The antimicrobial polymer compound may be formed into fibers, especially nano fibers, and the fibers may be formed into filter elements especially for air or water.