Coatings of quaternary ammonium tertiary structures (QUATS) copolymerized with 4-vinylbenzylthymine (VBT) exhibited high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Immobilization of QUATS improves environmental performance by preventing release of antibacterials to the environment, helping to preclude the emergence of resistant strains. The crosslinking immobilization scheme reported herein provides a more environmentally benign and more inexpensive synthesis than previously reported, thus reducing the use of solvents, energy, and production time. Development of water soluble, thymine-based photopolymers was inspired by the UV-induced 2pi + 2pi photocyclodimerization of thymine in DNA. Copolymers of 4-vinylbenzylthymine and trimethylammonium chloride, triethylammonium chloride, or dimethyloctylammonium chloride were synthesized in different monomer ratios. The antibacterial properties were tested by coating VBT:QUATS in sterilized petri dishes, crosslinking under short UV light, spraying with aqueous suspensions of bacterial cells, air drying, and then applying agar media to promote bacterial growth. The plates were incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C. The number of viable cells ranged from 17 to 0% growth. Immobilized VBT:QUAT copolymers are antiseptic surfaces that can be produced in an environmentally benign fashion.