Air-ozonolysis to generate contact active antimicrobial surfaces: Activation of polyethylene and polystyrene followed by covalent graft of quaternary ammonium salts

- Air-ozonolysis was presented as a safe, accessible and effective approach for activation and further functionalization of hydrocarbon polymers surfaces.
- Contact active antimicrobial polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) were generated.
- The modified polymers were fully characterized at each modification step.
- The modified PE and PS surfaces effectively destroy G−/G+ bacterial species.