Quaternized Amphiphilic Block Copolymers as Antimicrobial Agents

In this study, a novel polystyrene-block-quaternized polyisoprene amphipathic block copolymer (PS-b-PIN) is derived from anionic polymerization. Quaternized polymers are prepared through post-quaternization on a functionalized polymer side chain. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of quaternized polymers without red blood cell (RBCs) hemolysis can be controlled by block composition, side chain length, and polymer morphology. The solvent environment is highly related to the polymer morphology, forming micelles or other structures. The polymersome formation would decrease the hemolysis and increase the electron density or quaternized groups density as previous research and our experiment revealed. Herein, the PS-b-PIN with N,N-dimethyldodecylamine as side chain would form a polymersome structure in the aqueous solution to display the best inhibiting bacterial growth efficiency without hemolytic effect. Therefore, the different single-chain quaternized groups play an important role in the antibacterial action, and act as a controllable factor.

The effect of metalation processes on polymer morphology and conductivity properties

In this work, an insoluble three dimensional (3D) porous polymeric structure and their metal complexes were synthesised by the condensation reactions of meta(m)-phenylenediamine, para(p)-phenylenediamine and glutaraldehyde. The morphological and spectral features of the porous polymeric structures were determined using different analytical and spectroscopic methods, including field emission scanning electron microscopy, four-point probe electrical conductivity, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and magnetic and thermal behaviours. According to the obtained data, the shape, size and photoluminescence properties of the compounds, especially the conductivity, were clearly changed after the metalation processes.

Tuning the morphology of segmented block copolymers with Zr-MOF nanoparticles for durable and efficient hydrocarbon separation membranes

PU/UiO66-NH2 membranes demonstrate exceptional C4H10/CH4 selectivity due to the enhanced gas solubility associated with MOFs and tuning the polymer morphology.