Polymer Microspheres with Permanent Antibacterial Surface from Surface-Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

Cross-linked poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) microspheres were first synthesized by suspension copolymerization of 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) in the presence of a cross-linking agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Subsequent modification of the microsphere surfaces via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), using the VBC units of PVBC on the microsphere surface as the macroinitiators, gave rise to well-defined (nearly monodisperse) and covalently tethered poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) brushes. Quaternization of the tertiary amine groups of the PDMAEMA brushes with alkyl bromides (1-bromododecane or 1-bromohexane) gave rise to a high concentration of quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) on the microsphere surfaces. The chemical composition of the microsphere surfaces at various stages of surface modification was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The bactericidal effect of the QAS-functionalized microspheres on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated. The permanence of the bactericidal activity was also demonstrated through the repeated applications of the surface-modified PVBC microspheres without any significant loss of their surface activity or functionality.

Surface-immobilised antimicrobial peptoids

“…Examples of active antibacterial coatings include cationic polymers such as chitosan (Huh et al, 2001;Fu et al, 2005) and polymers containing quaternary ammonium (Lee et al, 2004;Cheng et al, 2005;Murata et al, 2007) and pyridinium (Tiller et al, 2001;Tiller et al, 2002;Cen et al, 2004;Krishnan et al, 2006) functional groups. The antibacterial effect of silver can be exploited by incorporation of silver salts or silver nanoparticles into coatings (Sambhy et al, 2006;Marini et al, 2007;Ramstedt et al, 2007a;Ramstedt et al, 2007b).…”

Evaluation of Bactericidal Action of 2-vinylpiridine Copolymers Containing Quaternary Ammonium Groups and Their Charge Transfer Complexes

“…The main advantage is the possibility of inactivating or destroying microorganisms present in contaminated water without leaving behind residues that can yield halomethane analogues. Many of these halomethane analogues are suspected of being carcinogenic [1][2][3] . Biocidal polymers can be classified into two categories, according to the bactericidal mechanism: insoluble polymeric contact disinfectants and demand-release disinfectants [4] .…”

Preparação de copolímeros à base de 2-vinilpiridina com propriedades bactericidas

“…6 Porém, a avaliação desses materiais como suportes para agentes biocidas é relativamente recente. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] O uso de resinas biocidas no tratamento de água oferece grande vantagem em relação aos agentes antimicrobianos habitualmente utilizados para esse fim. A principal vantagem está relacionada à inativação ou destruição de micro-organismos, sem deixar na solução a ser descontaminada uma quantidade apreciável de resíduos.…”

“…2,4,5,[8][9][10][11][12] Alternativamente, os monômeros contendo o grupo bactericida podem ser polimerizados e reticulados para a obtenção do polímero biocida. 7,13,14 Embora esta rota de síntese de polímeros biocidas seja mais direta, os monômeros funcionalizados são dispendiosos e é um processo difícil obter pérolas esféricas com morfologia controlada.…”