Design of self-disinfecting PVC surfaces using the click chemistry

Novel bactericidal PVC surfaces were developed. Cationic copolymers containing alkyne groups and quaternary ammonium or phosphonium groups were successfully synthesized and characterized. These polymers were grafted by click chemistry on PVC surfaces bearing azide groups (PVC-N3). The modified surfaces exhibited higher polarity and hydrophilicity in comparison with non grafted surfaces. Accessible surface charge densities varied from 1.1 × 1014 to 6.5 × 1014 charge cm−2. In these conditions, bactericidal effects of the cationic surfaces against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were evidenced by the Live and Dead fluorescent assay.