N-Halamine polymer from bipolymer to amphiphilic terpolymer with enhancement in antibacterial activity

A novel N-halamine terpolymer, i.e., P(ADMH-MMA-HEMA)-Cl, with high antibacterial efficacies were fabricated via a free-radical copolymerization of 3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin(ADMH), methyl methacrylate(MMA), and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), followed by a chlorination treatment using sodium hypochlorite as chlorinating agent. A controllable synthesis of P(ADMH-MMA-HEMA)-CI was achieved by tuning chlorination conditions, such as chlorination temperature, reactant concentration, chlorination time, etc. A series of antibacterial assays were conducted, and the as-prepared products P(ADMH-MMA-HEMA)-CI showed good killing capabilities against both Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria. Remarkably, compared to N-halamine biopolymer counterparts, e.g., P(ADMH-HEMA)-Cl and P(ADMH-MMA)-Cl, and the as -prepared N-halamine terpolymer P(ADMH-MMA-HEMA)-Cl presented the enhancement in antibacterial efficiency toward pathogens. It is believed that this approach offers great potential to be utilized in various fields where antibacterial properties are highly required. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.