Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial hydrogels

The goal of this study is synthesis, characterization and antibacterial testing of acrylamide type hydrogels which could be used to minimize the number of pandemics and epidemics. Hydrogels are crosslinked polymers that retain high amount of water. N-halamine compounds are one of the most effective antimicrobial biocides which are effective to a broad spectrum of microorganism including bacteria, virus and fungi. In this regard, it is possible to obtain high water absorption degree and antibacterial property together by developing N-halamine based hydrogels. Through this goal, antibacterial crosslinked polymers were developed by copolymerizing 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulphonic acid sodium salt (which is an N-halamine precursor) and N,N'-methylene bis acrylamide crosslinker. Hydrogels were chlorinated by treating with diluted sodium hypochloride solution. Optimization of hydrogel synthesis and chlorination, characterization of the synthesized products and antimicrobial tests with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were conducted. As a result, antibacterial multifunctional hydrogels having high water absorption degree were successfully developed. These developed hydrogels are expected to find applications such as wound dressing, water/airfilter or hygienic adsorbents. Key words: AMPS, antibacterial, MBAm, hydrogel, N-halamine