International. A study presents new hyperbranched polyamine-esters functionalized with quaternary ammonium salts. These materials can be used as antibacterial and biodegradable additives to mix with non-active polymers.
The chemical structure and thermal properties of quaternary ammonium salts (QAS-HPAE) were studied.
Researchers from the University of Bayreuth (Germany) explained that all QAS-HPAEs were stable up to 192°C, making it possible for them to mix thermally with other polymers. Mixing polycaprolactone (PCL) as a biodegradable polymer with QAS-HPAE improved its surface and volumetric hydrophilia, while partially decreasing its modulus of elasticity and tensile strength.
The 10% by weight mixture of QAS-HPAE in PCL resulted in a film with high contact removal activity against E. coli and B. subtilis and faster degradability in the presence and absence of esterase. Esterase activity was inhibited in the presence of a higher QAS-HPAE content (20% by weight).
Source: http://pubs.rsc.org
