Ionic liquid-crystalline polymer-based quaternary phosphonium salt

ABSTRACT

A series of quaternary phosphonium salts based on ionic liquid-crystalline polymers which were synthesised by triphenylphosphine and brominated polysiloxanes containing cholesteryl mesogens. The chemical structures, liquid crystalline properties and antimicrobial performance of [ChP]Brs were investigated by a series of test methods. [ChP]Brs showed smectic A mesophase with a wide temperature range of liquid crystalline phase in the heating and cooling cycles. The glass transition temperature and clearing point temperature decreased with the increase of triphenylphosphine content. While the increase of phosphorus content lead to the increase of antibacterial properties of polymers. The liquid crystal polymer provides full spatial support for complete contact between phosphorus ions and bacteria, So that the quaternary phosphonium salt can be fully sterilised.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Liquid crystals
• polymers
• quaternary phosphonium
• antibacterial properties

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Project 51273035 and U1708258] and the Fundamental Research Funds for Shenyang City [grant number F16-205-1-03].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [51273035 and U1708258] and the Fundamental Research Funds for Shenyang City [grant number F16-205-1-03].