Radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether) copolymer films: complexation with some transition metals and biological activity

The radiation-induced grafting of acrylic acid onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether) copolymer film was carried out to synthesize graft copolymer membranes of complexing ability with some selected transition metal ions such as Cr-III, Mn-II, Cu-II, Ag-I and Cd-II. The complex formation of these graft copolymer-metal complexes was studied by atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, IR, UV and electron spin resonance spectrometry. The overall results suggest octahedral geometry for both Cr-III and Mn-II but square planar for Cu-II. The results revealed the high stability of the obtained ligand-metal complexes. The biological activity of the grafted film and its complexes with various metal ions was investigated under the same conditions. Silver (I) complexed membrane had a strong biocidal effect for all tested bacteria. The biological activity for Cr-III complex has been effected on E. coli and S. aureus whereas the Cd-II complex has its effect on E. roll, B. anthrax and B. cereus. The Cu-II complex has only antifungal activity. No biological effect has appealed For both the grafted film or Mn-II complexed one on either bacteria or fungi. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.