Antimicrobial Quaternary Ammonium Polymers for Biomedical Applications

Microbial infection is a detrimental issue that can reduce the success of a wide range of biomedical implants. Several approaches are being developed to address this challenging obstacle. Cationic polymers, i.e. quaternary ammonium functionalized polymers have been reported repeatedly, with significant antimicrobial activity targeting broad spectrum of microorganisms through the disruption of the cell wall. Quaternary ammonium polymers or polymers modified with quaternary ammonium molecules possessing antimicrobial activity have been used as a part of self-sterilizing surfaces and composites, as well as additives addressing the need for antimicrobial activity or properties for a wide range of biomedical applications. In this chapter, an overview of the different antimicrobial polymers based on quaternary ammonium moieties is presented. Chemical structure, chemical modification, bioactivity and biomedical application are summarized and discussed.