Polyethylene Functionalized with Antifouling Acriflavine via Maleic Anhydride Grafting

Abstract

Fouling is among the most important global issue now a day that adversely effects many fields including food preservation, purification of water, marine industry, biomedical implants and many more. There is large number of techniques and material systems are employed to inhibit bacterial growth or to disinfect underline bio-films. These are used in a variety of forms including copolymers, coatings, polymer brushes and polymer grafting. In considering the importance of antifouling polymers, polyethylene functionalized with acriflavine via maleic anhydride grafting can be consider among the best antifouling material. This is because of the wide applications of polyethylene. In present study, low density polyethylene was grafted with maleic anhydride with variable concentrations and categorized as low medium and high grafted PE. The LDPE was taken in internal mixer and reacted with BPO and MAH by varying their concentration. Significant torque changed indicated the transformation of LDPE from solid to melt and functionalization. The MA grafted PE sample were further purified and unreacted polymer left was removed. The grafted copolymer was dissolved in DMF solvent and mixed with solution of acriflavine using trimethylamine as catalyst. This solution was then refluxed for 42 hours at 700C. To humidify dark red solution was obtained that was then freeze dried at -1300C. Amine group of acriflavine found to react with maleic anhydride functional group as verified by FTIR. Two peaks of amide were obtained between 3000 and 3500 cm-1. The prepared grafted copolymer were further characterized for its In addition mechanical testing indicated that upon MAH grafting, LDPE found to become more tough. The resulting modified functional antifouling LDPE grafted with acriflavine via MA was then tested for its antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.