Thermal polycondensation of poly(diol citrate)s with tethered quaternary ammonium biocides

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a series of novel, antimicrobial, aliphatic polyesters based on citric acid, alkanediols, and quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) diols is described. These materials possess a wide range of mechanical and thermal properties (storage modulus, E′ = 1.03–17.53 MPa at 25 °C; T_g = −15.7–38.6 °C) primarily dictated by alkanediol selection and the presence of biocide. Surface analysis via contact angle and FTIR-ATR studies indicate the presence of biocide at the material/air interface providing high antimicrobial activity (5–7 log kill of S. aureus over controls) for all materials containing tethered QAS. Hydrolysis of these cross-linked materials was also highly controlled based on the QAS, alkanediol structure, and curing duration; and significant hydrolysis occurs in as little as 4 weeks.