Poly(hydromethylsiloxane) Networks Functionalized by N-allylaniline

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Pathogen resistance to antimicrobials necessitates novel biocidal materials.
• Polymers with biocidal moieties, such as amino and ammonium groups, offer a promising strategy.
• Poly(hydromethylsiloxane) (PHMS) is explored as a versatile polymer backbone for developing new biocides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize non-porous and porous PHMS networks.
• To post-functionalize these networks with N-allylaniline (Naa) to introduce biocidal properties.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the modified polymers against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of non-porous PHMS via bulk cross-linking and porous PHMS via high-internal-phase emulsion (HIPE).
• Cross-linking using divinyldisiloxane (M2Vi) or tetravinyltetrasiloxane (D4Vi).
• Post-functionalization with N-allylaniline (Naa) and subsequent quaternization to ammonium groups.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of non-porous and porous PHMS networks with distinct microstructures.
• N-allylaniline functionalization was more efficient in non-porous networks due to higher Si-H content.
• Antimicrobial activity against *S. aureus* and *E. coli* was observed and correlated with functionalization degree, cross-linking, and microstructure.

Conclusions:

• PHMS-based polymers can be effectively functionalized to create novel biocidal materials.
• Material microstructure and functionalization strategy significantly influence antimicrobial efficacy.
• These findings support the development of advanced polymeric biocides to combat antimicrobial resistance.