Photobactericidal films based on regenerated cellulose

Abstract

The nature and potential applications of solid surfaces which show photodynamic germicidal action are outlined. Conditions are described for the impregnation of films of regenerated cellulose (cellophane) of 50 fim thickness with 5,10,15, 20-tetrakis(N-methyl-pyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin tetra-p-toluene sulphonate (TMPyP) and with 5,10,15,20-tetra-kis(4-trimethyl-ammoniumylphenyl)porphyrin tetra-p-toluene sulphonate. Experiments with films containing the first named photosensitiser show that the film is not photobleached (although there are photochemical changes) on exposure under test conditions to a xenon arc for 50 hours, and that the film retains its flexibility and strength after © 1994 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.