Preparation of active antibacterial biomaterials based on sparfloxacin,enrofloxacin, and lomefloxacin deposited on polyethylene

Bacterial contamination is one of the biggest drawbacks of implanted biomaterials, which may cause nosocomial infection. Avoiding bacterial adhesion onto the biomaterial surface by preparing active antibacterial biomaterials is an accurate solution. In this study, three of the fluoroquinolones: sparfloxacin, enrofloxacin, and lomefloxacin were selected due to their broad bactericidal effect and immobilized onto low‐density polyethylene surface at two different pH values (pH 3 and pH 6), after tailoring the surface by plasma treatment followed by grafting of polymer brush of N‐allylmethylamine. Surface wettability test and morphological investigations were carried out by water contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy analysis, respectively. Chemical characterizations were carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was checked against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains and results revealed that prepared surfaces were more effective against E. coli than S. aureus especially those prepared at pH 6. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46174.     

The synthesis of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐g‐poly(methylmethacrylate) brush type graft copolymers by atom transfer radical polymerization method

Brush type of poly (3‐hydroxy butyrate), PHB, copolymer synthesis has been reported. Natural PHB was chlorinated by passing chlorine gas through PHB solution in CHCl₃/CCl₄ mixture (75/25 v/v) to prepare chlorinated PHB, PHB‐Cl, with the chlorine contents varying between 2.18 and 39.8 wt %. Toluene solution of PHB‐Cl was used in the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate, MMA, in the presence of cuprous bromide (CuBr)/2,2′‐bipyridine complex as catalyst, at 90°C. This “grafting from” technique led to obtain poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐g‐poly(methylmethacrylate) (PHB‐g‐PMMA) brush type graft copolymers (cylindrical brush). The polymer brushes were fractionated by fractional precipitation methods and the γ values calculated from the ratio of the volume of nonsolvent to volume of solvent of brushes were ranged between 2.8 and 9.5 depending on the molecular weight, grafting density, and side chain length of the brushes, while the γ values of PHB, PHB‐Cl, and homo‐PMMA were 2.7–3.8, 0.3–2.4, and 3.0–3.9, respectively. The fractionated brushes were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H‐NMR spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. PHB‐g‐PMMA brush type graft copolymers showed narrower molecular weight distribution (mostly in range between 1.3 and 2.2) than the PHB‐Cl macroinitiator (1.6–3.5). PHB contents in the brushes were calculated from their TGA thermograms and found to be in range between 22 and 42 mol %. The morphologies of PHB‐g‐PMMA brushes were also studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Synthesis of pH‐responsive polyethylene terephthalate track‐etched membranes by grafting hydroxyethyl‐methacrylate using atom‐transfer radical polymerization method

pH‐responsive polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track‐etched membranes were synthesized by grafting 2‐hydroxyethyl‐methacrylate (HEMA) on the surface of the membrane via atom transfer radical polymerization. The controllability of grafting polymerization of HEMA on membrane surface is systematically investigated. The pH‐responsive characteristics of PET‐g‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl‐methacrylate) (PHEMA) gating membranes with different grafted PHEMA chain lengths are measured by tracking the permeation of water solution with different pH values. The results show that the grafting polymerization is controllable, and the permeation of grafted membranes is affected by the grafted PHEMA chain lengths on the surface of membrane. The results also demonstrate that the grafted PET membranes exhibit reversible pH‐response permeation to environmental pH values. Desired pH‐responsive membranes are obtained by controlling the grafted PHEMA chain lengths via atom transfer radical polymerization method. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40912.     

Grafting of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Brushes from Magnetite Nanoparticles Using a Phosphonic Acid Based Initiator by Ambient Temperature Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATATRP)

Poly(methyl methacrylate) in the brush form is grown from the surface of magnetite nanoparticles by ambient temperature atom transfer radical polymerization (ATATRP) using a phosphonic acid based initiator. The surface initiator was prepared by the reaction of ethylene glycol with 2-bromoisobutyrl bromide, followed by the reaction with phosphorus oxychloride and hydrolysis. This initiator is anchored to magnetite nanoparticles via physisorption. The ATATRP of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of CuBr/PMDETA complex, without a sacrificial initiator, and the grafting density is found to be as high as 0.90 molecules/nm². The organic–inorganic hybrid material thus prepared shows exceptional stability in organic solvents unlike unfunctionalized magnetite nanoparticles which tend to flocculate. The polymer brushes of various number average molecular weights were prepared and the molecular weight was determined using size exclusion chromatography, after degrafting the polymer from the magnetite core. Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectra and diffused reflection FT-IR were used to confirm the grafting reaction.     

Interaction Between an Acidic Extractant and an Octadecylamino Group Introduced into a Grafted Polymer Chain

Abstract

Poly‐glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was appended onto a porous membrane of a hollow‐fiber form with an epoxy group density of 14 mol per kg of the starting porous membrane. Octadecylamine was added to the epoxy group of the polymer brush at a maximum molar conversion of the epoxy group into the octadecylamino group of 59%. An acidic extractant, bis(2,4,4,‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272), was impregnated on the octadecylamino group by immersion of the octadecylamine‐added porous membrane in Cyanex 272/ethanol solution. The amount of impregnated extractant was 1.4 mol per kg of the GMA‐grafted porous membrane at a molar conversion of 59%. The phosphinic acid moiety of Cyanex 272 was attracted by the amino part of the octadecylamino group of the polymer brush to swell the entire volume of the porous membrane. This swelling compensated for the pore volume reduction caused by grafting the charged polymer brush to the pore surfaces of the porous membrane. The impregnated Cyanex 272 was repositioned on the charged polymer brush in response to the properties of surrounding liquids. The hydrophobic interaction enables the hydrophobic moiety of Cyanex 272 to associate with the octadecyl part of the octadecylamino group of the polymer brush to capture zinc ions. The binding efficiency of the Cyanex 272‐impregnated polymer brush for zinc ion was as high as 93%.     

Novel synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated silica particles

Silica (SiO₂)‐crosslinked polystyrene (PS) particles possessing photofunctional N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups on their surface were prepared by the free‐radical emulsion copolymerization of a mixture of SiO₂ (diameter = 20 nm), styrene, divinyl benzene, 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a radical initiator under UV irradiation. In this copolymerization, the inimer VBDC had the formation of a hyperbranched structure by a living radical mechanism. The particle sizes of such core–shell structures [number‐average particle diameter (D_n) = 35–40 nm] were controlled by the variation of the feed amounts of the monomers and surfactant, or emulsion system. The size distributions were relatively narrow (weight‐average particle diameter/D_n ≈ 1.05). These particles had DC groups on their surface. Subsequently, poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated SiO₂ particles were synthesized by the grafting from a photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization approach of methyl methacrylate initiated by SiO₂‐crosslinked PS particles as a macroinitiator. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Reliable surface modification of dental plastic substrates to reduce biofouling with a photoreactive phospholipid polymer

Plastic substrates have been widely applied in clinical settings for dental treatments. These substrates should be strong enough for long‐term implantation in the oral cavity and should be resistant to biofouling. We developed a new photoreactive phospholipid polymer to reduce biofouling on dental plastics via a photochemical reaction. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) were used as dental plastics. To determine the antibiofouling properties on the polymer surface, the phospholipid polymer was covalently immobilized on the substrates by UV irradiation. We evaluated the antibiofouling properties by observing the protein adsorption and cell and bacterial adhesion. Significant protein adsorption and cell adhesion appeared on the bare PMMA and PEEK substrates but decreased dramatically after surface modification with the phospholipid polymer. Thus, this photoreactive polymer shows potential for conferring dental plastics with antibiofouling properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46512.     

Surface functionalization of nanodiamond particles via atom transfer radical polymerization

Ultradispersed diamond (UDD)/polymer brushes having excellent solution dispersibilities are prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using the “grafting-from” synthesis strategy. ATRP initiators, covalently attached to oxidized surface carbon atoms of UDD aggregates using esterification chemistry, initiate polymerization of methacrylate monomers to form hydrophobic UDD/poly(iso-butyl methacrylate) and UDD/poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) polymer brushes. Acid hydrolysis of a UDD/poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) polymer brush affords a hydrophilic UDD/poly(methacrylic acid) polymer brush. Based on surface area measurements and GPC data, the calculated surface density of a representative UDD/polymer brush material is ca. five polymer chains/100 nm². A wide variety of UDD/polymer brush materials having controlled dispersibility and functional group reactivity are now potentially available using this synthesis strategy.     

One simple and stable coating of mixed‐charge copolymers on poly(vinyl chloride) films to improve antifouling efficiency

An antifouling surface is highly desirable for many biomedical applications. In this study, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films were endowed with the improved properties of resisting nonspecific protein adsorption and platelet adhesion simply through being coated with a kind of mixed‐charge zwitterionic polymer, poly(3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate–methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride–glycidyl methacrylate) (PSTG), with random moieties of negatively charged 3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium, positively charged [2‐(methacryloyloxy)‐ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, and glycidyl methacrylate. The PSTG‐grafted PVC films were formed by the simple immersion of an amino‐functionalized PVC film into a PSTG solution. A grafting density of 220.84 µg/cm² of PSTG4‐grafted PVC film was successfully obtained. The PSTG4‐grafted PVC film showed a lower contact angle (37.5 °) than the ungrafted PVC film (98.3 °). The in vitro protein adsorption results show that the bovine serum albumin adsorption amount decreased 6.72 µg/cm² in the case of the PSTG4‐grafted PVC film, whereas that on the ungrafted PVC film was 28.54 µg/cm². So, PSTG‐grafted PVC films could be promising materials for medical devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44632.     

Fabrication of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with polymer shells through surface RAFT polymerization

A core–shell hybrid nanostructure, possessing a hard backbone of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and a soft shell of brush‐like poly(methyl methacrylate), has been successfully prepared via a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process using a RAFT agent immobilized on MWNTs. Polymer‐modified MWNTs are easily dispersed in good solvents for the grafted polymer, such as toluene, tetrahydrofuran and CHCl₃. This observation has been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. The content of polymer in the functionalized MWNTs can be well controlled by the feed ratio. It is believed that realizing these hybrid structures, on the basis of such simple grafting, will pave the way for the design, fabrication, optimization and eventual application of more functional carbon nanotube‐related nanomaterials. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Surface‐tethered conjugated polymers created via the grafting‐from approach

Polyacrylate brushes with pendent terthiophenes [poly(terthiophene methyl methacrylate) (PTTMM)] were successfully grown from indium tin oxide and gold with surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The films formed on both substrates were characterized by ellipsometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Using cyclic voltammetry, we electrochemically crosslinked the PTTMM brush to form a conjugated polymer network. The conjugation lengths in the film were increased as evidenced by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Additionally, an atomic force microscopy study on the surface‐modified solid substrate revealed the formation of a smooth and uniform polymer brush with a low surface roughness, even after electrochemical crosslinking. These uniformly grafted conducting polymer brushes may find use in photovoltaic devices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41363.     

Synthesis of silica hybrid nanoparticles modified with photofunctional polymers and construction of colloidal crystals

Photofunctional polymer as silane coupling agent (PFD) was prepared by free radical copolymerization of 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of (3‐mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS) as chain transfer agent. Next, silane (SiO₂; the average diameter D_n = 192 nm) nanoparticles was surface‐modified with PFD and 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (γ‐MPS) by covalent bond formed between silanol groups and silane coupling agents. The PFD and γ‐MPS functionalizations changed the silica surface into hydrophobic nature and provided grafting initiation sites and methacrylate terminal groups respectively. We performed the construction of hybrid nanocomposites by using these modified SiO₂ nanoparticles. It was found from electron microscopy observations that SiO₂ particles were packed into repeating cubic arrangements in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix such as colloidal crystals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis of PLLA‐PEOMA comb‐block‐comb type molecular brushes based on AGET ATRP and ring‐opening polymerization

BACKGROUND: Molecular brushes are types of macromolecules with densely grafted side chains on a linear backbone. The synthesis of macromolecular brushes has stimulated much interest due to their great potential in applications in various fields. Poly(L ‐lactide)–poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PLLA‐PEOMA) comb‐block‐comb molecular brushes with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions were successfully synthesized based on a combination of activator generated by electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization. The synthetic route is a combination of the ‘grafting through’ method for AGET ATRP of the PEOMA comb block and the ‘grafting from’ method for the synthesis of the PLLA comb block. Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) was synthesized by ATRP, and PLLA side chains and PEOMA side chains were grown from the backbones and the terminal sites of PHEMA, respectively. RESULTS: The number‐average degrees of polymerization of PLLA chains and poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] (PPEOMA) comb blocks were determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and the apparent molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of the brush molecules were measured using gel permeation chromatography. The crystallization of the components in the comb‐block‐comb copolymers was also investigated. The crystallization of PLLA side chains is influenced by PLLA chain length and the content of PPEOMA in the molecular brushes. The comb‐block‐comb copolymer composed of hydrophobic PLLA and hydrophilic PEOMA can self‐assemble into a micellar structure in aqueous solution. CONCLUSION: A combination of AGET ATRP and ring‐opening polymerization is an efficient method to prepare well‐defined comb‐block‐comb molecular brushes. The physical properties of the molecular brushes are closely related to their structures. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviour of poly(methacrylic acid) brushes synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly(methacrylic acid) brushes have been prepared utilizing the “grafting from” technique and a living radical synthesis route using a two stage process. Firstly a poly(1-ethoxyethyl methacrylate) brush was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization and then thermally decomposed to poly(methacrylic acid). The swelling behaviour of the weak polyacid brush was investigated as a function of pH and salt concentration in aqueous solutions using atomic force microscopy. Force pulling measurements were used to establish the molecular weight and the grafted chain density. The swelling transition was found to be at pH 9; which is significantly different to the pK_a (5.5) of untethered poly(methacrylic acid). We attribute this large shift in pK_a to the high grafting density of these brushes. This can be explained as a result of the Coulombic repulsion of neighbouring charges. High salt concentrations (0.3 M Na⁺) also collapse the brush layer. Conversely low salt concentrations cause an increase in the thickness of the brush, a behaviour expected for osmotic brushes.     

Synthesis of well‐defined amphiphilic block copolymers via AGET ATRP used for hydrophilic modification of PVDF membrane

A well‐defined amphiphilic block copolymer consisting of a hydrophobic block poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and a hydrophilic block poly[N,N–2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) was synthesized by activator generated by the electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization method (AGET ATRP). Kinetics study revealed a linear increase in the graph concentration of PMMA‐b‐PDMAEMA with the reaction time, indicating that the polymer chain growth was consistent with a controlled process. The gel permeation chromatography results indicated that the block copolymer had a narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.42) under the optimal reaction conditions. Then, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/PMMA‐b‐PDMAEMA blend membranes were prepared via the standard immersion precipitation phase inversion process, using the block copolymer as additive to improve the hydrophilicity of the PVDF membrane. The presence and dispersion of PMMA‐b‐PDMAEMA clearly affected the morphology and improved the hydrophilicity of the as‐synthesized blend membranes as compared to the pristine PVDF membranes. By incorporating 15 wt % of the block copolymer, the water contact angle of the resulting blend membranes decreased from pure PVDF membrane 98° to 76°. The blend membranes showed good stability in the 20 d pure‐water experiment. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) absorption experiment revealed a substantial antifouling property of the blend membranes in comparison with the pristine PVDF membrane. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42080.     

Highly efficient adsorbent for organic dyes based on a temperature‐ and pH‐responsive multiblock polymer

The self‐assembly behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers in selective solutions has many applications in environmentally responsive polymer materials. In this article, we report on a new amphiphilic, temperature and pH dual‐responsive poly[2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)]‐b‐poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] [P(DMAEMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐PPEGMA], which was synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization. The structure, self‐assembly behaviors, and process of organic dye adsorption were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectroscopy, and DLS measurements. P(DMAEMA‐co‐MMA)‐b‐PPEGMA was proven to be an outstanding adsorbent with excellent reversibility. Methyl red was released from the micelles as the pH value of the solution was adjusted to 4, and it could also be encapsulated again when the pH value was adjusted to 7.4 because of the sensitive pH‐responsive ability. It is promising that the triblock polymer had a positive effect on dye adsorption for environmental protection. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46626.     

Poly(vinylbenzylchloride) beads grafted with polymer brushes carrying hydrazine ligand for reversible enzyme immobilization

Poly(glycidylmethacrylate), p(GMA), brush grafted poly(vinylbenzyl chloride/ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate), p(VBC/EGDMA), beads were prepared by suspension polymerization and the beads were grafted with poly(glycidyl methacrylate), p(GMA), via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization aiming to construct a material surface with fibrous polymer. The epoxy groups of the fibrous polymer were reacted with hydrazine (HDZ) to create affinity binding site on the support for adsorption of protein. The influence of pH, and initial invertase concentration on the immobilization capacity of the p(VBC/EGDMA‐g‐GMA)‐HDZ beads has been investigated. Maximum invertase immobilization onto hydrazine functionalized beads was found to be 86.7 mg/g at pH 4.0. The experimental equilibrium data obtained invertase adsorption onto p(VBC/EGDMA‐g‐GMA)‐HDZ affinity beads fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model. It was shown that the relative activity of immobilized invertase was higher than that of the free enzyme over broader pH and temperature ranges. The K_m and V_max values of the immobilized invertase were larger than those of the free enzyme. After inactivation of enzyme, p(VBC/EGDMA‐g‐GMA)‐HDZ beads can be easily regenerated and reloaded with the enzyme for repeated use. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Low protein fouling polypropylene membrane prepared by photoinduced reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

In this study, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and N‐isopropyl acrylamide was block grafted onto the polypropylene macroporous membrane surface by photo‐induced reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization with benzyl dithiobenzoate as the RAFT agent. The degree of grafting of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) on the membrane surface increased with UV irradiation time and decreased with the chain transfer agent concentration increasing. The poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐ grafted membranes were used as macro chain transfer agent for the further block graft copolymerization of N‐isopropyl acrylamide in the presence of free radical initiator. The degree of grafting of poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) increased with reaction time. Furthermore, the poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐ grafted membrane with a degree of grafting of 0.48% (wt) showed the highest relative pure water flux and the best antifouling characteristics of protein dispersion. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Nitroxide polymer brushes as efficient and recoverable catalysts for the selective oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes

2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO)‐containing polymer brushes were grafted onto crosslinked polystyrene microspheres via surface‐initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐piperidyl methacrylate, followed by an oxidation process with 3‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid as oxidant. The synthesized nitroxide polymer brushes included homopolymer brushes, block copolymer brushes, and random copolymer brushes with various TEMPO contents and molecular weights. They were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. These nitroxide brushes bearing high TEMPO contents were used as recoverable catalysts for the hypochlorite and aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes. The effects of polymer brush structure on the catalytic properties were studied and discussed. The results showed that these nitroxide polymer brushes had excellent catalytic properties and good recycling performances. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44365.     

Synthesis and characterization of lignin‐based cationic dye‐flocculant

Kraft lignin derivatives having cationic poly 2‐(trimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate side chains were synthesized and their property as dye‐flocculant was investigated. Lignin‐based flocculants having three types of side chain densities and three types of side chain lengths were synthesized by esterification of the lignin hydroxyl groups with bromoisobutyryl groups, atom transfer radical polymerization using 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, and quaternization of the amino groups. Dye removal test was performed using three organic dyes and the obtained lignin‐based flocculants. The results indicated that the density and the length of the side chains obviously affected the flocculation behavior. When the flocculants containing the same nitrogen amount were compared, the flocculation performance was improved with the increase of the side chain length within the samples having low and middle side chain densities. In the case of the samples having high side chain density, the most efficient sample was not the sample having the longest side chain. Most of the lignin‐based flocculants removed dyes more efficiently than the poly 2‐(trimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate homopolymer. From these results, it was suggested that lignin has a potential character as the core molecule to design the high‐efficient dye‐flocculant. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46611.