Thermo‐Switchable Antibacterial Activity

A copolymer system of 2‐aminoethyl methacrylate and N‐isopropylacrylamide comprises novel properties: changes in conformation and hydrophilicity upon heating influence the antibacterial activity and result in a switchable biocidal effect. The copolymers are characterized via NMR, MALDI‐ToF MS, phase transition behavior, and antibacterial tests with E. coli or B. subtilis. MIC and MBC are determined using standard dilution methods, temperature‐dependence via incubation at different temperatures and cytotoxicity by MTT tests. The copolymers exhibit lower MIC in globule than coil conformation, crosslinking on cotton results in non‐leaching materials with better antibacterial activity above than below the phase‐transition point.