1. Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Roseggerstrasse 12, 8700 Leoben, Austria;2. Graz University of Technology, Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria;3. KE KELIT GmbH, Ignaz‐Mayer‐Stra?e 17, 4020 Linz, Austria;4. Varta Micro Innovation GmbH, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010 Graz, Austria
Abstract:
A set of poly(2‐oxazoline)‐derived (co‐)polymers was prepared by microwave‐assisted polymerizations and acid‐mediated hydrolysis and tested for antimicrobial activity in 50 × 50 × 2 mm PP compound plates containing 5 wt% of the polymers. Antimicrobial activity against gram‐negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa as well as C. albicans depended only on the degree of hydrolysis, while antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus was only observed for hydrolyzed poly(2‐nonyl‐2‐oxazoline)s. The surface energies of the compound plates compared to pure PP were hardly altered, and the compounds can be considered as alternatives for PP. The presence of the biocide additives at the surface of the PP compound plates could be shown by combined ATR‐IR, zeta potential, and SEM‐EDX measurements. Antimicrobial activity was maintained during double incubation as well as for lowered amounts of the biocide additive of 1% in PP compound plates.
