Synthesis of cationic acrylate copolyvidone-iodine nanoparticles with double active centers and their antibacterial application

Abstract

Antibacterial materials are rapidly emerging as a primary component in the mitigation of bacterial pathogens, and functional polymers play a vital role in the preparation of antibacterial coatings. In this study, a novel antibacterial polymer with double active centers was synthesized. Firstly, using one-pot soap-free emulsion polymerization technology, the cationic acrylate copolymeric polyvidone (CACPV) was synthesized by copolymerization of four monomers with different functions, which were methyl methacrylate (MMA), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPTS) and [3-(methacryloylamino)propyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC). Secondly, using iodine complexation, the cationic acrylate copolyvidone-iodine (CACPVI) nanoparticles were prepared. After being characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle test, the antibacterial activity of CACPVI was evaluated against the typical human pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli, Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, Gram-positive). Additionally, CACPVI was used to improve the antibacterial activities of some materials, such as ink, dye and coatings. It was found that CACPVI presented an excellent antibacterial synergy. When the antibacterial activities were more than 99% at a concentration of 40.00 μg mL⁻¹, CACPVI exhibited long-term antibacterial performance as expected. The antibacterial mechanism of this synergy was also investigated. In summary, a novel antibacterial polymer material with double active centers was successfully synthesized and was widely applied in coating, dye and ink materials for minimizing bacterial infection.