Antimicrobial polymers, also known as polymeric biocides, is a class of polymers with antimicrobial activity, or the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or protozoans, as described in Wikepedia. These polymers have been engineered to mimic antimicrobial peptides which are used by the immune systems of living things to kill bacteria. Typically, antimicrobial polymers are produced by attaching or inserting an active antimicrobial agent onto a polymer backbone via an alkyl or acetyl linker. Antimicrobial polymers may enhance the efficiency and selectivity of currently used antimicrobial agents, while decreasing associated environmental hazards because antimicrobial polymers are generally nonvolatile and chemically stable. This makes this material a prime candidate for use in areas of medicine as a means to fight infection, in the food industry to prevent bacterial contamination, and in water sanitation to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in drinking water.

An antibacterial geopolymer, with potential in the construction industry has been developed. It is an inorganic resin that inhibits development, growth and reproduction of bacteria, yeasts and fungi; used as a cement, it can adhere to metal surfaces, ceramics or glass and inhibit harmful microorganisms. Researchers at the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH) in Mexico used this antibacterial geopolymer called Antibac to repel pathogens. Dr. Jose Carlos Rubio is the creator of the technology.
The product can be placed on any surface just like a construction paste, setting in just 24 hours. It consists of clay and sea sand dissolved in an aqueous solution and a biocidal agent in the form of microscopic glass particles that inhibit bacterial growth. The inorganic resin, once solidified, traps the antibacterial microcrystals in a "cage," keeping them enclosed, but allowing the interaction with pathogens; these microorganisms, when contacting the geopolymer, get stuck due to its high affinity to the microcrystals, so no contact transference occurs with other materials. The microorganisms are then removed by existing diffusion or any simple cleaner. Moreover, the product is not harmful to the environment because during the manufacturing process, no volatile organic compounds are generated, only water vapor. He explained that the material has a duration of approximately 100 years, is resistant to acids and water, and does not discolor because it endures solar radiation. "The natural color is cream, but we can add any pigment and adapt it to the customer's needs." Its antibacterial effect makes it ideal for hospitals, restaurants or the food processing industry, but it can also be used in the home because it costs less than US$10 per square meter, making it cheap compared to current synthetic coatings.

最近的发现可能是寻找对环境友好型细菌的方法的重要突破，同时预防抗生素耐药性和抗性细菌。斯德哥尔摩KTH皇家理工学院的研究人员发现了一种抗菌聚合物，可用于运动服，尿布和绷带等日常产品，而不会引起耐药性细菌。KTH的化学研究人员Josefin Illergard说：“我们设法找到了一种稳定与纤维素相连的抗菌聚合物，因此无法释放到环境中。”Illegard说，该团队的发现是基于嵌入在杀死细菌的聚合物中的纤维素纤维。纤维素是自然界中最常见的有机物质，也是植物细胞壁的主要结构成分。活性聚合物非常强烈地粘结到纤维素材料的纤维，以至于它不会松动或通过水泄漏到环境中。抗菌剂（例如三氯生和银离子）通常用于运动服和鞋子中，以清除细菌形成中的不愉快气味。但是，当洗涤经过处理的服装或表面时，这种杀菌剂泄漏到环境中，从而增加了细菌逐渐抗其作用的风险。“如果有人用布擦拭用抗菌剂处理的台面，然后将布冲洗在水槽中，那么这些物质就会进一步散布在排水沟中，并进入环境中，它们可以污染土壤和水，并引起细菌耐药性，” Illegrgrd说。她说，由于聚合物的阳性电荷和细菌是负电荷，因此新材料实际上吸引了细菌。 The material does not contain large amounts of polymer; and only non-toxic nitrogen oxides remain after it is burned."In the future, I believe our material will be used in cleaning clothes, in sanitation for hospitals and in different kinds of water purification filters," she says.