Method for Synthesis of Quaternary Ammonium Monomer and its Application Study as an Antibacterial Agent

Abstract Quaternary ammonium chloride monomers (QAMs) come under an important class of chemicals with antibacterial and anion‐exchange properties. Upon polymerization, these can be used in a variety of applications, such as surfactants, herbicides, antimicrobials, ionic liquids, phase‐transfer catalysts, and polyelectrolytes. In this article, a systematic method for the synthesis of 2‐(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAETC) has been described through the reaction between methyl chloride (MeCl) and 2‐(Dimethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate (DMEMA) in different molar ratios (1.0, 1.5, 2.1, and 2.5). MAETC synthesized using MeCl/DMEMA molar ratio 2.1 gave the highest yield. The chemical structure of the synthesized MAETC has been confirmed by FTIR and 1 H‐NMR. For the application study, MAETC grafting on cotton fabric was undertaken using gamma radiation at doses of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 kGy. The presence of nitrogen in FTIR, SEM, and CHNS studies of grafted fabric confirmed grafting of MAETC. The MAETC grafted cotton fabric exhibited excellent anti‐bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, the process of rendering cotton fabric antibacterial through grafting of QAM, MAETC was demonstrated.