Contact antimicrobials for use in the medical device industry are being studied extensively to minimize the risk of hospital acquired infections, which are among the top ten leading causes of death in the US. Surfaces modified with quaternary ammonium containing side chains have been known to demonstrate excellent antimicrobial properties. Prior work has indicated that polyurethane surfaces with copolyoxetane soft blocks consisting of fluorinated and quaternary ammonium side chains can act as good antimicrobials. However, stabilizing the positive charge on the surface has been a challenge. The dissertation is aimed at creating a surface modifier that would confer a stable contact kill antimicrobial surface at very low modifier content, that is, less than 2 wt%. To achieve this objective, the study explored the introduction of a different fluorous group in the soft block to enhance stability. In particular, prior studies by other groups and early work by Kurt have shown that replacement of one of the terminal “chaperone” C-F bonds by C-H decreased surface tension. This led to the hypothesis that a –CF2H terminated “chaperone” group would be “amphiphilic” resulting in surface stability under both dry and wet conditions. Keeping this hypothesis in mind, a –CF2-CF2H (4F) terminal “chaperone” group was created in a modifier having two different 4F to quaternerary C12 ratios. It was found that polyurethanes prepared with a 66:34 ratio of 4F:C12 as the diol, performed as a very good surface modifier with high zeta potentials over a long period of time compared to the –CF3 based modifier. Antimicrobial tests performed within one week and four weeks after coating preparation have provided promising results that demonstrate improved biocidal stability. Guided by improved antimicrobial properties obtained with surface modifier polyurethanes made from P[(4F)(C12)-66:34-Mn], a new concept was explored by end-capping the same diol with isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane and blending the end-capped diol with base polyurethane along with a 10 wt % cross linker. These modifiers show excellent antimicrobial properties (100% kill of bacteria) over one month with no observable changes in the zeta potential or surface morphologies. XPS analysis confirms the presence of quaternary ammonium on the surface. Preliminary kinetic studies show excellent antimicrobial properties for a 2 wt% modifier and 100% kill within 1 hr.

Contact antimicrobial coatings with poly-alkylammonium compositions have been a subject of increasing interest in part because of the contribution of biocide release coatings to antibiotic resistance. Herein, a concept for antimicrobial coatings is developed based on thermodynamically driven surface concentration of soft block side chains. The concept incorporates structural and compositional guidance from naturally occurring antimicrobial proteins and achieves compositional economy via a polymer surface modifier (PSM). For this purpose, polyurethanes having P[AB] co-polyoxetane soft blocks, where A is a surface active (fluorous) or PEG-like side chain and B represents a desired function (alkylammonium) were prepared. Specifically, poly(2,2-substituted-1,3-propylene oxide) ran-co-telechelics with bromobutoxymethyl (CH2O(CH2)4Br) and either trifluoroethoxymethyl (3FOx, -CH2OCH2CF3)) or PEG-like (2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)methyl (ME2Ox, (-CH2(OCH2CH2) 2OCH3)) side chains were prepared via cationic ring opening polymerization. Characterization utilized 1H NMR spectroscopy, temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Molecular weights (Mn) by 1H NMR end group analysis were ~6000-8000g/mole. Bromobutoxymethyl groups were completely substituted with N,N-dimethylalkyl amines to obtain alkylammonium co-telechelics. Two alkyl ammonium chain lengths, six carbons (C6) and twelve carbons (C12) were used. Tgs of bromobutoxymethyl co-telechelics were -68 degrees C and -48 degrees C for ME2Ox and 3FOx, respectively. Tgs remained low after amine substitution. Alkylammonium co-telechelics decomposed at 220-230 degrees C regenerating amine. Telechelics were incorporated into polyurethanes (PUs) having 4,4'-(methylene bis (p-cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H12MDI) and butanediol (BD) as the hard block (30wt%). Characterization by 1H NMR, GPC, MDSC and TGA is described. From DSC data, using the Fox equation, the weight fraction of pure soft block in the soft block domain (w1) was very high (0.96-0.99) for polyurethanes with fluorous soft blocks, while soft blocks with PEG-like side chains were phase mixed (w1 = 0.73-0.75). To our knowledge, this is the first time that a polycationic telechelic has been incorporated into a polyurethane. By using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis, sessile drop measurement, and Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy (TM-AFM), surface properties of polyurethanes were examined. These polyurethanes were co-processed with base polyurethanes to modify surfaces. Surface concentration of 2 wt % P[AB]-polyurethanes was studied by using the same surface characterization methods. Surface concentration of semifluorinated and alkylammonium side chains (C6 and C12) was observed. Miscibility of PEG-like side chains resulted in weak concentration of short alkyl ammonium side chains (C6). However, longer alkylammonium side chains (C12) can 'self-chaperone' and surface concentrate better compared to shorter side chain analogs. For biocidal testing, aerosol and touch tests were designed and implemented. Coatings were tested for zone of inhibition. The polyurethanes were first tested as 100 wt % coatings and found to be highly effective against both Gram(-) (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) and Gram(+) (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Polyurethane modified surfaces (2 wt %) were tested against aerosol challenges of the same bacteria strains. The 2 wt % PSM with soft block containing trifluoroethoxy (A, 89 mol %) and C12 alkylammonium (B, 11mol %) side chains gave the highest biocidal effectiveness against all bacteria strains in 30 min (100% kill, 3.6-4.4 log reduction).

Nanoparticles promise many interesting applications because of their exceptional chemical and physical properties. Therefore nanoparticles offer a pathway for the fabrication of new functional, smart materials. Since the primary particle strongly tends to strong agglomeration, and since the surface of nanoparticles is often not compatible with polymers, it is not possible to disperse single particles homogeneously in a polymer melt. Formations of agglomerates are responsible for strong differences in concentration of the nanoparticles in the material matrix and therefore impede a homogeneous property profile. Furthermore properties of compounds are not only determined by single components, but considerably by the interface between these single components. Hence, a strong chemical and physical adhesion between the constituents is required. Thus, surface modification of nanoparticles is a crucial issue. This work focuses on the control of the particle/polymer interface in composite materials which has a thickness of some nanometers. This interface regulates the compatibility of the surface of the nanoparticles and their environment. This interface is also the place where the transmission of energy between nanoparticle and polymer occurs. The interlayer of this boundary surface should be occupied with functional “primer”-macromolecules that provide at least two types of functional groups: one species of functional group should assure the bonding of the primer to the surface of the nanoparticle, and the second type enables the compatibilizing to the matrix, and when indicated also the covalent adhesion to the ambient polymer system. The macromolecular scaffold of the primer permits the selective adjustment of important interface properties as elasticity, durability and the surface energy of the particle – matrix interface. Within this thesis hyperbranched polyethylene (PEI) imine was used as starting platform for “Quat-Primer Polymers” bearing a multitude of functional moieties in form of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups. Chapter 2 gives a literature – review on hyperbranched polymers – with focus on PEI, stabilization of colloids by polymers, as well as polymer – “nanocomposites”. In Chapter 3 the reaction of PEI with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride will be described to obtain hyperbranched polymers that consist of (i) the hyperbranched PEI scaffold, (ii) primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups that can be used for further modification reactions with amino-reactive compounds, and (iii) ammonium moieties that can adsorb to negatively charged surfaces. It will be shown that these Quat-Primer polymers have the ability to stabilize several nanoparticles in water to form aqueous dispersions and that they are capable to partially deagglomerate nanoparticles leading to smaller diameters of the particles in the dispersion. Additionally the reaction of hyperbranched polyethylene imine with glycidol will be described displaying a possibility to change the reactivity of the functional groups and exhibiting that also the generated hydroxyl groups generated by the ring-opening reaction of epoxides with PEI react with epoxide rings to form ether linkages. In Chapter 4 the synthesis of several amino-reactive ATRP initiators will be described and two methods to graft PMMA arms to “Quat-Primer polymers” presented in the previous chapter including the “grafting from” and the “grafting to” technique. These synthesized Quat-Primer polymers bearing ammonium moieties, as well as PMMA arms can be used to fabricate PMMA nanocomposites with homogeneously distributed nanoparticles. The developed method allow for grafting monomers that can be used in ATRP polymerization, including acrylates, acrylonitriles and styrenes, to hyperbranched polyethylene imine. Chapter 5 will display pathways to graft caprolactam derivatives to hyperbranched polyethylene imine to generate Quat-Primer polymers bearing ammonium moieties, as well as caprolactam rings. These quat-primer polymers can be used for the fabrication of PA-6 nanocomposites by dispersing nanoparticles in presence of these Quat-Primer polymers and subsequent polymerization.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Treating lesions in living tissues has become a health issue due to the late natural healing process, limited acceptance and compatibility with grafts. The development of biomaterials emerges as a new strategy. Thus, this study aimed to obtain bioactive porous composite, of different compositions and the evaluation of the influence of the composition on the physical, chemical, structural, morphological and biological properties for possible application in tissue engineering. The project started with the preparation and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP), via a wet precipitation route, and the modification of their surface by stearic acid (SA) (reflux). The presence of SA in the surface of HAP promoted significant changes in their general characteristics, especially in their morphology, size and thermal stability (TG/DTG). For the formation of composites, chitosan with different degrees of purity were chosen. To the homogeneous dispersion of ceramic in the polymer dispersion has required the incorporation of a viscosity agent, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), which prevented the settling of HAP particles. Thus, six groups were evaluated and characterized by techniques that allowed to infer basic information about the degree of swelling, porosity, surface morphology, thermal stability, crystallinity and chemical environment (chemical groups). The cellular viability evaluated under the composites allows suggesting the biocompability of these. The study of the structural organization during lyophilization, using the small angle X-ray scattering, and evaluation of internal morphological structure of the composites under the influence of the composition was performed using X-ray Tomography. These analyzes showed that the presence of SA in the surface composition of nanoparticles inserted in composites influenced the agglomeration and deposition of HAP nanometric in the polymer structure, determining the structural characteristics of these composites. / Tratar lesões em tecidos vivos tornou-se uma problemática em saúde devido ao tardio processo de cicatrização natural, a uma limitada aceitação e compatibilidade com enxertos. O desenvolvimento de biomateriais surge como nova estratégia. Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivo principal a obtenção de compósitos bioativos porosos e avaliar a influência da composição nas características físicas, químicas, estruturais, morfológicas e biológicas para uma possível aplicação em tecido ósseo. A proposta iniciou-se com a obtenção e caracterização de nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita (HAP) (precipitação por via úmida) e com a modificação de sua superfície pelo ácido esteárico (AE) (refluxo). A presença do AE sob a superfície da HAP promoveu alterações significativas em suas características gerais, principalmente em suas morfologias, tamanhos e estabilidade térmica (TG/DTG). Para os compósitos, quitosanas com diferentes graus de pureza foram escolhidas. Com o intuito de homogeneizar a cerâmica sob a dispersão polimérica, fez necessária a incorporação de um agente de viscosidade, o hidroxietilcelulose (HEC). Sendo assim, seis grupos de compósitos foram avaliados e caracterizados por técnicas que permitiram inferir informações básicas a respeito do grau de intumescimento, da porosidade, da morfologia de superfície, da estabilidade térmica, da cristalinidade e do ambiente químico. A viabilidade celular avaliada sob os compósitos permitiu sugerir a biocompatibilidade destes. O estudo da organização estrutural durante a liofilização, utilizando-se o espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos, e a avaliação da estrutura morfológica interna dos compósitos sob influência da composição foi realizada através da tomografia de raios X. Tais análises permitiram inferir que a presença do AE na composição de superfície das nanopartículas inseridas nos compósitos influenciou na aglomeração e deposição das nanocargas de HAP sob a estrutura polimérica, determinando as características estruturais destes compósitos.