Abstract

We report a facile strategy for incorporating persistent and effective antibacterial property into a widely used polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), by copolymerizing methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (TA) in one pot via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The subsequent self-assembly of the resultant poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly[(2-tert-butylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PMMA₂₀-b-PTA₁₅) diblock copolymer affords well-defined water-dispersible vesicles, which can be facilely sprayed on the walls in hospitals for effective inhibition and killing of bacteria. ¹H-NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) studies confirmed the successful synthesis of welldefined copolymer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies proved the formation of vesicles with narrow size distribution. DLS studies revealed the excellent stability of vesicles at various temperatures. Antibacterial tests showed effective antibacterial activities of polymer vesicles against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, this strategy may be extended for preparing a wide range of polymeric materials for facile antibacterial applications in many fields.