Antimicrobial PMMA-b-(PDMAEMA-co-PHEMA) copolymers via RAFT

• Grant number: 25/08908-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Fábio Herbst Florenzano
• Grantee: Ana Lívia Sampaio Moreira
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02049-6 - High performance new antimicrobial polymeric materials: structure/activity relationships achievement and use, AP.R

Abstract

The growing concern about bacterial resistance has motivated the development of new antimicrobial materials, particularly for biomedical applications and functional coatings. This work seeks the synthesis and characterization of polymeric materials and their potential via contact. Homo e copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-[poly[dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate]-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) are to be synthesized with different compositions and average molar masses. The materials will be characterized by GPC, NMR, and FTIR. A standard test will be applied to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the (co)polymers using at least E. coli as a model organism. Tests against B sutilis and S aureus are also planned. The data will be used to generate relationships between the structure of the materials and the antimicrobial activity, allowing the planning of new (co)polymers with high antimicrobial activity. The results can also expand and deepen the knowledge about the antimicrobial mechanism of polymers. A contribution to developing high-performance antimicrobial materials is expected, offering alternatives for antimicrobial surfaces and improved medical devices.