Constructing antibacterial polymer nanocapsules based on pyridine quaternary ammonium salt

Publication date: Available online 20 November 2019Source: Materials Science and Engineering: CAuthor(s): Minghao Zeng, Jiayun Xu, Quan Luo, Chunxi Hou, Shanpeng Qiao, Shuang Fu, Xiaotong Fan, Junqiu LiuAbstractExcessive use of antibiotics accelerates the development and spread of drug-resistant strains, which is a huge challenge for the field of medical health worldwide. Quaternary ammonium salt polymers are considered to be membrane-active bactericidal groups with vast potential to control bacterial infections and inhibit drug resistance. Herein, we report on the creative synthesis and characterization of novel antimicrobial polymer nanocapsules based on pyridine quaternary ammonium salt. The antimicrobial polymer nanocapsules were formed by reaction of C3 symmetrical rigid monomer 2,4,6‑tris(4‑pyridyl)‑1,3,5‑triazine (TPT) and a flexible linker 1,2‑dibromoethane. The polymer nanocapsule was constructed as a cationic hollow sphere composed of a two-dimensional sheet whose main chain was formed by the pyridine quaternary ammonium salt, and a part of the bromide ion was adsorbed on the sphere. This hollow nanocapsule was characterized in detail by DLS, SEM, TEM, AFM, EDS and EA. When the cationic polymer nanocapsules are close to the Gram-negative Escherichia coli, the negatively charged phospholipid molecules in the bacterial membrane are attracted to the cationic surface and lead to rupture of cells. SEM confirmed the breakage of Escherichia coli membranes. The mi...
Source: Materials Science and Engineering: C - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research