Examination of functional zwitterionic polymer hydrogels based on polypyridinium salt by a convenient cross-linker

Abstract

In this work, two novel zwitterionic polymer hydrogels (Gel-P4VP-psl (d), Gel-P4VP-bpa (d)) and cationic polymer hydrogels (Gel-P4VP-eb (f)) were prepared for the first time. The differences of functionality between cationic polymer hydrogels and zwitterionic polymer hydrogels were studied fully. The results showed that when the molar quantity ratio of cross-linker/pyridinium unit in Gel-P4VP-psl (d) and Gel-P4VP-bpa (d) was about 0.25:1, they would have proper mechanical property, excellent antibacterial ability and antifouling ability. Correspondingly, the charge quantity ratios of negative charges/positive charges in Gel-P4VP-psl (d) and Gel-P4VP-bpa (d) could be calculated to be 1:2 theoretically. Although Gel-P4VP-eb (f) with only positive charges had strongly antibacterial ability, being lack of negative charges in cationic polymer hydrogels made its antifouling ability disappear completely. Gel-P4VP-psl (d) and Gel-P4VP-bpa (d) have potential in the application of antibacterial and antifouling materials.