Permanently antimicrobial waterborne coatings based on the dual role of modified poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)

► Poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) successfully (partially) modified with pendant tertiary amine functionalities. ► Modified polymer is successfully used as surfactant in a styrene-n-butyl acrylate emulsion copolymerization. ► Modified polymer confers antimicrobial activity to the coating based on the poly(styrene-co-n-butyl acrylate) latex. ► Modified polymer is active against a wide variety of bacteria and fungi.