Application of Gemini quaternary ammonium with ester groups in cationic P(St-co-BA) nanolatex and study on its antibacterial properties

Abstract Novel Gemini quaternary ammonium salts (GQASs) with ester groups were synthesized. Cationic poly(styrene- co -butyl acrylate) (P(St- co -BA)) nanolatex was synthesized in the presence of GQASs as emulsifier. The structures of GQASs were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; the property of P(St- co -BA) nanolatex was characterized with dynamic light scattering. The results indicated that GQASs and P(St- co -BA) nanolatex with GQASs were successfully synthesized. GQASs, nanolatex, and the polymer films exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli . The GQASs performed even better than the corresponding single-stranded quaternary ammoniums. The antibacterial mechanism was also preliminarily studied, and longer, softer hydrophobic chains of GQAS had stronger antibacterial activity. The work provided a novel, simple approach for developing high-efficiency antibacterial polymer material with a low cost, which has broad biomaterial applications.