Bactericidal Block Copolymer Micelles

Abstract

Abstract Block copolymer micelles with bactericidal properties were designed to deactivate pathogens such as E. coli bacteria. The micelles of PS ‐b‐ PAA and PS ‐b‐ P4VP block copolymers were loaded with biocides TCMTB or TCN up to 20 or 30 wt.‐%, depending on the type of antibacterial agent. Bacteria were exposed to loaded micelles and bacterial deactivation was evaluated. The micelles loaded with TCN are bactericidal; bacteria are killed in less than two minutes of exposure. The most likely interpretation of the data is that the biocide is transferred to the bacteria by repeated micelle/bacteria contacts, and not via the solution. magnified image