Synthesis of Ag@chitosan/copolymer with dual-active centers for high antibacterial activity

Abstract

The prevention and treatment of microorganism contamination on substrate surfaces have recently generated significant concern of scientists. In this paper, a novel diblock copolymer containing antibacterial quaternary ammonium groups as pendant groups, poly(3-(methacryloylamino) propyltrimethyl ammonium chloride)-b-poly(styrene) (PMS), was synthesized by interfacial polymerization. Also, PMS anisotropic particles (APs) could be successfully obtained based on different assembly behaviors by adjusting the ratios of monomers and the toluene/styrene (Tol/St). Moreover, silver loaded chitosan (Ag@CS) and PMS APs were combined to prepare natural/synthetic polymer antibacterial materials with dual-active centers (Ag@CS/PMS-4 APs), aiming to expand the application of carbohydrate polymers and improve the antibacterial activity of composite materials. Remarkably, the resulting series of PMS particles, especially worm-like PMS-4 APs, and Ag@CS/PMS-4 APs composite film ((Ag@CS/PMS-4 APs)-F) exhibited excellent antibacterial properties, which can be employed as interface materials to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases caused by microorganism contamination.

Keywords: Carbohydrate polymers; Chitosan; Poly(quaternary ammonium).