Antimicrobial Properties and Thermal Stability of Polycarbonate Modified with 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquids

Four water immiscible ionic liquids (ILs): 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate have been synthesized. Polycarbonate (PC) films containing ILs were prepared by solvent casting from methylene chloride solutions. Scanning electron microscopy measurements showed the high homogeneity of PC/IL films with the IL content up to 4 wt %. The tendency to IL aggregation was observed for polymeric films with higher IL content (5%). PC/IL composites were found to have the reduced thermal decomposition temperature under both an air and a nitrogen atmosphere in comparison with the neat PC. The effect of IL content on the antimicrobial activity of PC films against Escherichia coli bacteria was studied. Pronounced antimicrobial efficacy was revealed for PC/IL films for all studied ILs starting from 3 wt % of IL. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40050.