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)-Cl 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)-Cl 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.