A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of 40 to 45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

The present invention relates to a reinforced composite material, comprising an organic polymer, a silicon polymer, and an interphase between said organic polymer and said silicon polymer, wherein said interphase comprises chemical bonds between the organic polymer and the silicon polymer, and to a method to obtain said reinforced composite material. The present disclosure can be used to improve the mechanical properties of silica aerogels by functionalization of textile materials.

In some aspects, the inventive subject matter contemplates providing a substrate; providing a biomaterial to be affixed to the substrate; and subjecting the substrate and biomaterial to reactive species from a plasma generated by an atmospheric plasma apparatus until the biomaterial affixes to the substrate. The biomaterial may be silk or wool polypeptide. The biomaterial is deposited as a monomeric film on the surface of the substrate before the substrate is subjected to the reactive species of the plasma. Once the substrate with the film of biomaterial is subjected to the reactive species, the reactive species facilitates the polymerization of the film as a coating on the underlying portion of substrate. The resulting coated substrates are novel constructs that have improved attributes based on the biomaterial selected for use. For example, silk proteins may be used improve the hand or strength of textile materials.

This invention provides antibacterial and antiviral compositions and methods. The compositions possess prolonged and powerful antibacterial/antiviral functions under light exposure and even under completely dark conditions, while daylight exposures could recharge the functions repeatedly. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, biologically self-cleaning air and water filters, medical devices, and products. The biocidal PPE can prevent transmission of infectious diseases such as Ebola and respiratory viruses. In some embodiments, compositions of the invention can be employed in food protectant materials to provide antimicrobial and antiviral bio-protection during food transportation and storage.

A reactive antibacterial compound and a preparation method thereof are provided herein. The reactive antibacterial compound is represented by the general formula (I) or (II):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sub.1 represents OCN-L-NHCOOR, OCN-L-NHCONHR, OCN-L-NHCOSR, OCN-L-COOR, or OCN-L-COONHR. G1 represents OCN-M-NHCOOG, OCN-M-NHCONHG, OCN-M-NHCOSG, OCN-M-COOG, or OCN-M-COONHG. L, M, R and G independently for each occurrence represent divalent alkyl and cycloalkyl having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by up to 18 heteroatoms. R.sub.4 and G.sub.4 independently for each occurrence represent a divalent alkyl and cycloalkyl having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by at most 18 heteroatoms. G.sub.2 and G.sub.3 independently for each occurrence represent H, F, Cl, Br, I, OCH3, OCH2CH3, OPr, CN, SCN, NO, NO2, a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Z and X independently for each occurrence represent COO, SO3, or OPO2OR.sub.5. R.sub.5 represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

An additive for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection into a synthetic polymer with the additive and the synthetic polymer for forming a synthetic material has a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with a synthetic polymer having CH bonds. A product for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection into a synthetic polymer prior to forming a synthetic material has a quantity of a synthetic polymer and a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with the quantity of the synthetic polymer.

A product for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into a synthetic polymer is disclosed which has a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with a quantity of synthetic polymer chips having CH bonds. A product for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection and antimicrobial protection into a synthetic polymer prior to forming a synthetic material is also disclosed which has a quantity of synthetic polymer chips and a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with the quantity of the synthetic polymer chips.

An additive for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection into a synthetic polymer with the additive and the synthetic polymer for forming a synthetic material has a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with a synthetic polymer having CH bonds. A product for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection into a synthetic polymer prior to forming a synthetic material has a quantity of a synthetic polymer and a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with the quantity of the synthetic polymer.

Functionalizing a fibrous material having a plurality of hydroxyl groups includes reacting the fibrous material with a compound of Formula I: ##STR00001##
where X is a monovalent counteranion for the quaternary ammonium cation of Formula I and Hal is a halogen atom, to obtain the functionalized fibrous material. Also provided is a functionalized fibrous material prepared by any one of the methods described herein (e.g., a functionalized fiber including a moiety of Formula II: ##STR00002##
having an odor of free amine below the threshold of detection, or having an odor of free amine with degree of offensiveness of about 3 or less. The functionalized fibrous material may be dyed, and articles of clothing may be made from the dyed functionalized fibrous material.

A reactive antibacterial compound is represented by the general formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 represents OCN-L-NHCOOR, OCN-L-NHCONHR, OCN-L-NHCOSR, OCN-L-COOR, or OCN-L-COONHR. G1 represents OCN-M-NHCOOG, OCN-M-NHCONHG, OCN-M-NHCOSG, OCN-M-COOG, or OCN-M-COONHG. L, M, R and G independently for each occurrence represent divalent alkyl and cycloalkyl having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by up to 18 heteroatoms. R.sub.4 and G.sub.4 independently for each occurrence represent a divalent alkyl and cycloalkyl having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by at most 18 heteroatoms. G.sub.2 and G.sub.3 independently for each occurrence represent H, F, Cl, Br, I, OCH3, OCH2CH3, OPr, CN, SCN, NO, NO2, a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Z and X independently for each occurrence represent COO, SO3, or OPO2OR.sub.5. R.sub.5 represents a monovalent unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.