Characterization and antimicrobial efficacy of acetone extracted aniline oligomers

Abstract

The spectroscopic characterization of acetone extracted aniline oligomers (AEAO) of oxidative polymerization of aniline using potassium iodate (KIO3) as oxidant is performed. The chemical structures of AEAO and parent polyaniline (PANI) are investigated by using FTIR, Raman, EPR and NMR spectroscopies. The results showed that aniline oligomers are with cross-linked structure and confirmed similarity of structure with PANI. Antimicrobial activities of AEAO, acetone extracted functionalized aniline oligomers (AEFAO) and commercial oligomers (CO) are determined against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The length of the polymer chain is shown to contribute to the antimicrobial efficacy of these materials; long-chain functionalized polyaniline (fPANI) polymers are more effective against Gram-negative bacteria than AEFAO and CO. The potential of AEFAO as novel antimicrobials and correlation of their antimicrobial mechanism with the long-chain fPANI polymers are investigated