Abstract
Despite centuries of research on this chemical element, the ability of iodine to form complexes with water-soluble polymers and various other molecules remains a topic of great interest. The fascination with iodine and iodophors arises from their remarkable antimicrobial properties against a wide range of pathogens. This review encompasses historical information on iodine and iodophors, showcases existing iodine-containing products available in the market, explores the diverse physicochemical methods employed to study polymer-iodine complexes, and assesses recently published studies on iodophors. Recent advances in this field include the use of new experimental techniques to get new insights into the mechanisms of complexation and structure of these complexes; preparation of iodophors using novel polymers, nano- and micro-particles; and fabrication of antimicrobial surfaces capable of slow iodine release.