International. In this study, the antibacterial activity of poly (m-aminophenol) (PmAP) synthesized in alkaline medium was investigated.
Poly(m-aminophenol) (PmAP) was prepared by oxidation polymerization of m-aminophenol in alkaline medium and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectra, UV-visible absorption spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The antibacterial behavior of PmAP was characterized by the staged dilution method, and the results demonstrate that PmAP showed excellent antibacterial property against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis.
In addition, epoxy coatings containing different amounts of PmAP were prepared using cardanol-based phenalcamine as a curing agent. Coatings containing PmAP showed increased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. In addition, the antifouling property of the coatings was investigated by immersing the films in bacterial suspension for four days.
The results showed that coatings containing PmAP possess a high capacity to inhibit biofilm formation, which is the key process to prevent the appearance of biofouling at the initial stage. Meanwhile, PmAP coatings possess high corrosion protection performance demonstrated by 12% NaCl solution immersion tests monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
The experimental results can give a new perspective on the design and application of multifunctional materials used in coating preparation.
