title: Mechanistic approaches on the antibacterial activity of poly(acrylic acid) copolymers.
abstract: The availability of polymeric antimicrobially active surfaces, which are mainly based on cationic surface effects, is limited. We have previously reported the discovery that, in addition to cationic surfaces, anionic surfaces based on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) copolymers have a bactericidal effect. In this study, poly(styrene)-poly(acrylic acid)-diblock copolymers (PS-b-PAA) are used to describe the major variables causing the material to have a bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 in aqueous suspensions. Upon contact with water, the surface structure of the copolymer changes, the pH value decreases, and the PAA-block migrates toward the surface. Systematically modified antimicrobial tests show that the presence of acid-form PAA provides maximum antimicrobial activity of the material in slightly acidic conditions, and that an ion-exchange effect is the most probable mechanism. Antimicrobially inactive counter-ions inhibit the bactericidal activity of the copolymers, but the material can be regenerated by treatment with acids.
authors.affiliation: Johannes Kepler University Linz, Institute for Chemical Technology of Organic Materials, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria; Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Altenberger Str, 69, 4040 Linz, Austria. Electronic address: guenther.gratzl@jku.at.
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gratzl
authors.affiliation: Competence Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology, Viktor Kaplan Str. 2, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walkner
authors.affiliation: Johannes Kepler University Linz, Institute of Polymer Science, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hild
authors.affiliation: Competence Centre for Electrochemical Surface Technology, Viktor Kaplan Str. 2, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria; Johannes Kepler University Linz, Institute for Chemical Technology of Inorganic Materials, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Achim Walter
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Hassel
authors.affiliation: Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH, Altenberger Str, 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Hedda Katrin
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Johannes Kepler University Linz, Institute for Chemical Technology of Organic Materials, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paulik
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010316:Particle Size; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C006903:carbopol 940
keywords: Antibacterial; Antimicrobial; Bactericidal; Block copolymer; Mechanism; Poly(acrylic acid)