Aggregation of cationic amphiphilic block and random copoly(vinyl ether)s with antimicrobial activity

In this study, we investigated the aggregation behaviors of amphiphilic poly(vinyl ether)s with antimicrobial activity. We synthesized a di-block poly(vinyl ether), B3826, composed of cationic primary amine and hydrophobic isobutyl (iBu) side chains, which previously showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. B3826 showed similar uptake behaviors as those for a hydrophobic fluorescent dye, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, to counterpart polymers including homopolymer H44 and random copolymer R4025, indicating that the iBu block does not form strong hydrophobic domains. The cryo-TEM observations also indicated that the polymer aggregate of B3826 appears to have low-density polymer chains without any defined microscopic structures. We speculate that B3826 formed large aggregates by liquid-liquid separation due to the weak association of polymer chains. The fluorescence microscopy images showed that B3826 bonds to E. coli cell surfaces, and these bacterial cells were stained by propidium iodide, indicating that the cell membranes were significantly damaged. The results suggest that block copolymers may provide a new platform to design and develop antimicrobial materials that can utilize assembled structures and properties.