POLY(STYRENE/STYRENE SULFONATE)/IONIC LIQUID COPOLYMERS WITH ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Ionic liquids (ILs) are molten salts at temperature below 100°C, containing an organic cation and an anionic portion of various nature. Their structure as well as their chemical-physical properties, such as low vapor tension, high polarity, electrical conductivity and non-flammability, make them particularly versatile and interesting [1]. It was reported that imidazole-based ILs display antimicrobial activity comparable to that of commercial antimicrobial agents. Their biocidal activity is due to the length of the alkyl chain of the cation, to the type of substituted functional groups and their position in the imidazole ring [2]. Recent studies have concerned the synthesis of different poly-ionic liquids (PILs), in which the cation or anion portion has a polymeric structure with interesting characteristics such as high ionic conductivity and thermal stability. The aim of this study was the synthesis of ILs and PILs with antimicrobial activity.