Tunable hydrophobic‑antimicrobial terpolymers enable long‑lasting, wash‑resistant protection of polyethylene fabrics

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and healthcare-associated infections has escalated the demand for advanced antibacterial materials. Polyethylene (PE) fabrics, renowned for their exceptional mechanical and barrier properties, have garnered significant attention in personal protective equipment (PPE). However, their susceptibility to bacterial contamination presents a considerable challenge. While dopamine-based copolymer coatings have been explored for imparting antibacterial properties, they often induce an undesirable increase in hydrophilicity, thereby compromising the hydrophobicity and barrier performance of PE fabrics. To address this limitation, we developed terpolymers synthesized via free radical polymerization, comprising dopamine methacrylamide (DMA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and vinyl pyridine (VP), followed by quaternization with hexyl bromide. By systematically varying the BMA/VP ratios while maintaining a constant DMA content, five distinct terpolymer compositions were synthesized. The incorporation of hydrophobic BMA and hexyl groups effectively counteracted the inherent hydrophilicity of DMA, resulting in PE fabrics with water contact angles exceeding 85°. The antibacterial efficacy of the coated fabrics against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis remained consistently above 99.9 % after 50 laundry cycles, demonstrating the coating's exceptional durability. Additionally, the fabrics exhibited a tensile strength of 32.4 MPa, excellent biocompatibility, and reduced air permeability, positioning them as promising candidates for long-term use in protective clothing.