Electrospun fibers containing cationic quaternary ammonium derivatives with antibacterial activity: Electrospun quaternized polysulfone fibers with antimicrobial activity

Solutions processable of cationic ionomers have received widespread attention for their promising roles as exchange membranes, antibacterial coatings, and dialysis membranes. Therefore, the solutions of the polysulfone ionomers, with a tunable density of quaternary ammonium functional groups, were processed by electrospinning to create new fibrous materials that can modulate membrane properties. The relationship between processable solution properties and morphological aspects was assessed. Thus, results have shown that the morphology of fibers formed, with different forms and dimensions, could be attributed to the combined effects of the polymer solutions concentration, thermodynamic quality of the used solvents, and implicitly, the cumulative effects of electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding or association phenomena. The antibacterial activity of PSFQ fibers against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria has indicated potential for biomedical use.