Antimicrobial Properties and Thermal Stability of Polycarbonate Modified with 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquids

Four water immiscible ionic liquids (ILs): 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate have been synthesized. Polycarbonate (PC) films containing ILs were prepared by solvent casting from methylene chloride solutions. Scanning electron microscopy measurements showed the high homogeneity of PC/IL films with the IL content up to 4 wt %. The tendency to IL aggregation was observed for polymeric films with higher IL content (5%). PC/IL composites were found to have the reduced ther- mal decomposition temperature under both an air and a nitrogen atmosphere in comparison with the neat PC. The effect of IL con- tent on the antimicrobial activity of PC films against Escherichia coli bacteria was studied. Pronounced antimicrobial efficacy was revealed for PC/IL films for all studied ILs starting from 3 wt % of IL. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40050.