Engineering of new methylstyrene farmin vinylic monomer and crosslinked poly(methylstyrene farmin) nanoparticles of narrow size distribution for antibacterial and antibiofilm applications

Synthesis and Characterization of Free and Grafted N-Halamine Nanoparticles for Decomposition of Organic Dyes in an Aqueous Continuous Phase

Synthetic organic dyes constitute a major pollutant in wastewater. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of N-halamine nanoparticles (NPs) for decomposition of organic dyes from contaminated wastewater. Cross-linked poly(methacrylamide) (PMAA) NPs of hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 11 ± 1 to 161 ± 31 nm were synthesized at room temperature by redox surfactant-free dispersion copolymerization of methacrylamide and the cross-linking monomer N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide) in an aqueous continuous phase. The effect of various polymerization parameters on the diameter and size distribution of the formed NPs was studied. Additionally, thin coatings composed of cross-linked PMAA NPs were grafted onto oxidized corona-treated polypropylene (PP) films by redox graft polymerization of the monomers in the presence of oxidized PP films. The free and grafted NPs were converted to N-halamine species by chlorination with sodium hypochlorite. The decomposition kinetics of two model organic dyes, methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV), was evaluated for both free and grafted PMAA-Cl NPs. Free cross-linked PMAA-Cl NPs at room temperature, with concentrations of 5 and 0.5 mg/mL, illustrated full decomposition of CV and approximately 90% decomposition of MB after 42 and 97 h. In order to enhance the dye decomposition, the mixtures were heated to 70 °C. Complete decomposition of CV and MB at PMAA-Cl NP concentrations of 5 and 0.5 mg/mL required 60 and 240 min for CV, respectively, and 180 and 420 min for MB, respectively. Similarly, the PP/PMAA-Cl films also demonstrated a high reduction in the MB concentration after 150 min. Due to the highly efficient dye decomposition, these free and immobilized chlorinated NPs may be utilized as new reagents for decomposition of organic materials from contaminated wastewater.

Engineering of a New Bisphosphonate Monomer and Nanoparticles of Narrow Size Distribution for Antibacterial Applications

In recent years, many bacteria have developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. It is well-known that calcium is essential for bacterial function and cell wall stability. Bisphosphonates (BPs) have high affinity to calcium ions and are effective calcium chelators. Therefore, BPs could potentially be used as antibacterial agents. This article provides a detailed description regarding the synthesis of a unique BP vinylic monomer MA-Glu-BP (methacrylate glutamate bisphosphonate) and polyMA-Glu-BP nanoparticles (NPs) for antibacterial applications. polyMA-Glu-BP NPs were synthesized by dispersion copolymerization of the MA-Glu-BP monomer with the primary amino monomer N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide hydrochloride (APMA) and the cross-linker monomer tetra ethylene glycol diacrylate, to form cross-linked NPs with a narrow size distribution. The size and size distribution of polyMA-Glu-BP NPs were controlled by changing various polymerization parameters. Near-infrared fluorescent polyMA-Glu-BP NPs were prepared by covalent binding of the dye cyanine7 N-hydroxysuccinimide to the primary amino groups belonging to the APMA monomeric units on the polyMA-Glu-BP NPs. The affinity of the near-infrared fluorescent polyMA-Glu-BP NPs toward calcium was demonstrated in vitro by a coral model. Cytotoxicity, cell uptake, and antibacterial properties of the polyMA-Glu-BP NPs against two common bacterial pathogens representing Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and two representing Gram-positive bacteria, Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus, were then demonstrated.