title: Polymeric Quaternary Ammonium-Containing Coatings with Potential Dual Contact-Based and Release-Based Antimicrobial Activity.
abstract: In the present work, reactive blending of copolymers with complementary functional groups was applied to control their antimicrobial activity and antifouling action in real conditions. For this purpose, two series of copolymers, poly(4-vinylbenzyl chloride-co-acrylic acid), P(VBC-co-AAx), and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate-co-glycidyl methacrylate), P(SSNa-co-GMAx), were synthesized via free radical copolymerization and further modified by the incorporation of biocidal units either covalently (4-vinyl benzyl dimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, VBCHAM) or electrostatically bound (cetyltrimethylammonium 4-styrenesulfonate, SSAmC16). The cross-linking reaction of the carboxylic group of acrylic acid (AA) with the epoxide group of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) of these two series of reactive antimicrobial copolymers was explored in blends obtained through solution casting after curing at various temperatures. The combined results from the ATR-FTIR characterization of the membranes, solubility tests, turbidimetry, and TEM suggest that the reaction occurs already at 80 °C, leading mostly to graft samples, while at higher curing temperatures (120 or 150 °C) insoluble cross-linked samples are usually obtained. Controlled release experiments of selected membranes were performed in pure water and aqueous 1 M NaCl solutions for a period of two months. The released material was followed through gravimetry and TOC/TN measurements, while the evolution of the integrity and the morphology of the membranes were followed visually and through SEM, respectively. Antimicrobial tests also revealed that the cross-linked membranes presented strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Finally, a specific blend combination was applied on aquaculture nets and cured at 80 °C. The modified nets, emerged in the sea for 15 and 35 days, exhibited high antifouling action as compared to blank nets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras , GR-26504, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Denisa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Druvari
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras , GR-26504, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikos D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Koromilas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras , GR-26504, Patras, Greece.|FORTH/ICE-HT, Stadiou Street, P.O. Box 1414, GR-26504, Rio-Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia Ch
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Lainioti
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras , GR-26504, Patras, Greece.|FORTH/ICE-HT, Stadiou Street, P.O. Box 1414, GR-26504, Rio-Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0893-4716
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bokias
authors.affiliation: Environmental Microbiology, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras , Patras, GR-26504, Greece.
authors.forename: Gavriil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vasilopoulos
authors.affiliation: Environmental Microbiology, Department of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras , Patras, GR-26504, Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vantarakis
authors.affiliation: SELONDA Aquaculture SA, 30 Navarchou Nikodimou Street, Athens, GR-10556, Greece.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baras
authors.affiliation: SELONDA Aquaculture SA, 30 Navarchou Nikodimou Street, Athens, GR-10556, Greece.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dourala
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras , GR-26504, Patras, Greece.|FORTH/ICE-HT, Stadiou Street, P.O. Box 1414, GR-26504, Rio-Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Joannis K
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5864-2047
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kallitsis
mesh_terms: D064751:Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D064751:Ammonium Compounds; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D011108:Polymers
keywords: acrylic acid; antifouling; antimicrobial activity; cross-linking; glycidyl methacrylate; membrane; quaternary compound