Antimicrobial textiles based on photocrosslinked poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)

Abstract

Photocrosslinking of a series of amine-containing poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acids) (PEAAs) on textile surfaces by reaction of photogenerated singlet oxygen at the amine groups to form imines is reported. The materials are hydrophilic and show antimicrobial activity. Modified PEAAs with 3 different lengths of side chains are synthesized to study the effect of varying side chain length on polymer photooxidative crosslinking and antimicrobial activity. Materials with longer side chains show elimination of E. coli and MRSA by contact lysis which is enhanced under irradiation with green light.