Copolymers of Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride and Vinyl Ether of Monoethanolamine: Synthesis, Flocculating, and Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

AbstractN,N‐diallyl‐N,N‐dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and vinyl ether of monoethanolamine (VEMEA) copolymer P(DADMAC‐VEMEA) were synthesized using radical polymerization in water media using ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The synthesis of this copolymer was investigated over a wide composition range at low conversion levels. The viscosity of the copolymers was measured in aqueous 1 M NaCl. Flocculating action and antimicrobial activities of the copolymers P(DADMAC‐VEMEA) against microbacteria and sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) were studied. Synthesized copolymers had flocculating effects and can be used to purify wastewater from particles of bentonite clays. Also, the copolymer with a molar composition [DADMAC]: [VEMEA] = (80÷20):(20÷80) retarded the population of both bacteria, Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) in the diffusion zone. Furthermore, the copolymer with a molar composition [DADMAC]:[VEMEA] = (90÷10):(20÷80) had bactericidal properties against SRB. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the copolymer varied from 0.01% to 0.1% depending on the molar composition of the copolymer.