Biocidal Polymers: A Mechanistic Overview

Abstract

Bacterial fouling on surfaces is considered a major problem in modern society. Conventional methods to prevent biofilm formation often have little effect and may induce further contamination. In response to this challenge, antibacterial polymers have been designed and applied as an alternative approach to kill or inhibit bacteria and prevent the formation of biofilm. These polymers can be grouped into three broad classes, namely antibiotic-releasing polymers, polymeric antibiotics and antibiotic polymers. Antibiotic polymers are effective against bacteria both in solution and as coatings, through different mechanisms of action. In order to enhance their efficacy, antibacterial polymers have been designed with single or combined antibacterial and antibiofouling actions. The current review summarizes the mechanisms of action of antibacterial polymers, especially antibiotic polymers, both in solution and as coatings. It also discusses the antibacterial polymers with multiple functionalities.

Amphiphilic Polymethyloxazoline–Polyethyleneimine Copolymers: Interaction with Lipid Bilayer and Antibacterial Properties

“…Typically, this is achieved by a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic repeating units (r.u.) in the form of statistical copolymer and brings a limitation in the possible conformational forms of the polymer . Statistical distribution of r.u.…”

Polymeric Antimicrobial Coatings Based on Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

“…[8][9][10][11]. Among the numerous examples of antimicrobial polymers that were evaluated for such potential applications [12][13][14], polymers based on quaternary ammonium groups [15][16][17][18] are possibly the most widely studied, concerning synthetic biocidal polymeric materials [19].…”

Antimicrobial anilinium polymers: The properties of poly(N,N‐dimethylaminophenylene methacrylamide) in solution and as coatings

“…It has been reported that common polyQAS, such as quaternary PEIs cause cytotoxicity possibly via increasing the permeability of human cells . According to previous reports on the effect of hydrophobic components of antimicrobial polymers, any factor leading to higher hydrophobicity of antimicrobial polymers not only enhances the biocidal performance of the polymer, but also increases toxicity toward mammalian cells, leading to general cytotoxicity . The important structural factors include the length of the alkyl chain, the hydrophobic comonomer, and the structure of ammonium groups .…”

“…The conjugation of amine and benzene groups leads to a planar spatial structure and strong delocalization of electrons, which reduces the electron density on the amine group and reduces its basicity . Such a structure also provides a large steric hindrance when used as a side group to the main chain, and shifts the amphiphilic balance of the antimicrobial polymer toward high hydrophobicity, which is crucial for biocidal performance and cytotoxicity . Based on these properties, significant biocidal behavior is expected for antimicrobial polymers with quaternary anilinium groups.…”