Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium-functionalized POSS (Q-POSS) and polysiloxane coatings containing Q-POSS

An array of quaternary ammonium-functionalized POSS (Q-POSS) compounds were synthesized and their antimicrobial properties toward the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, and the Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, determined in aqueous solution. Using Q-POSS compositions that exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in solution, the utility of the Q-POSS compounds as an antimicrobial additive for polysiloxane coatings was determined. The results of the investigation showed that Q-POSSs possessing a relatively low extent of quaternization and longer alkyl chain lengths provided the highest antimicrobial activity in solution. For polysiloxane coatings containing Q-POSS molecules as an antimicrobial additive, coating surface energy, surface morphology, and antimicrobial properties were found to be strongly dependent on Q-POSS composition. Coatings based on Q-POSSs possessing the lowest extent of quaternization displayed antimicrobial activity while analogous coatings produced using Q-POSSs possessing the highest extent of quaternization showed no antimicrobial activity. The lack of antimicrobial activity exhibited by coatings possessing Q-POSSs with a relatively high extent of quaternization was attributed to agglomeration of Q-POSS molecules through the formation of intermolecular interactions involving the quaternary ammonium moieties. Agglomeration would be expected to reduce diffusivity and inhibit interaction of the Q-POSS molecules with microbial cells.