Synthesis, monomer reactivity ratios and antibacterial activity of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and 2-(Diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate copolymers

Abstract

Random copolymers of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and diethyl amino ethyl methacrylate (DEAEM) were synthesized at high conversions by photoinitiation. Poly(HEMA-co-DEAEM) samples obtained were characterized by FTIR, HNMR spectroscopies. Thermal properties investigated by TGA/DTA analyses proved the thermal stability of the obtained copolymers. SEM images of the bulk samples revealed smooth, homogeneous surfaces. Copolymer compositions were calculated from HNMR and elemental analysis data. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated using Extended Kelen Tudos, and Mayo Lewis methods that gave r(1)(HEMA) = 0.87, r(2)(DEAEM) = 0.39 at high conversions. Overall, microbial activity assays demonstrated that, novel copolymers synthesized exert good antibacterial activity against tested bacteria and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values ranged from 15.625 mu g/mL to > 1000 mu g/mL. The sample with copolymer composition F-HEMA = 0.392 and F-DEAEM = 0.608 bears the highest antibacterial activity with the lowest MIC value (15.625 mu g/mL) for MRSA, S. aureus and K. pneumonia.