ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF COPOLYMERS OF 2,4-DICHLOROPHENYL ACRYLATE WITH STYRENE: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND REACTIVITY RATIOS

Some copolymers of 2,4-dichlorophenyl acrylate (2,4-DCPA) with styrene (St) of different feed compositions were prepared by free radical polymerization technique using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator, and the copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The copolymer composition obtained by UV-spectra led to determination of reactivity ratio by employing Fineman-Ross (F-R) and Kelen-Tudos (K-T) methods. Average molecular weight, as well as intrinsic viscosity, was obtained by vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) and Ubbleholde viscometer. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) of copolymers were carried out under nitrogen atmosphere. Antimicrobial effects of the homo and copolymers were also investigated against various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts.