Functionalization of silica with amine and ammonium alkyl chains, dendrons and dendrimers: Synthesis and antibacterial properties

Materials modified with ammonium groups on the surface have shown antibacterial activity. In this paper, alkyl chains, carbosilane (CBS) dendrimers and dendrons and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers containing amine and ammonium groups have been grafted to silica surface and the influence of molecule structure on the stability and on antibacterial activity have been evaluated. These materials have been characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta (Z) potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP MAS NMR). The degree of silica functionalization depends on type of outer groups, amine or ammonium, type and core of dendrimer, and length of chains. The Z potential measurements of these materials in water suspensions were used to test their stability in this medium. These measurements showed, for some of the modified silicas, the diminishing of Z potential from positive values toward zero, probably due to interaction of the functional groups with the silica surface. This variation was also dependent on ligand structure and peripheral functions. Finally, studies of inhibition of bacteria growth stand out again the relevance of ligand structure and number of functional groups on silica surface. The most active systems were those with more surface covered, those with cationic groups further away from silica surface and higher dendritic generation. Stability in water and antibacterial activity of silicas covered with carbosilane (CBS) dendrimers and dendrons and PAMAM dendrimers is dependent on ligand structure, generation and peripheral functions. [Display omitted] •Carbosilane amine and ammonium dendrons and dendrimers are efficiently grafted on silica surface.•The outer surface groups can interact with the silica surface reducing the number of available functional groups.•Antibacterial activity of silicas depends on peripheral groups, distance to silica surface and degree functionalization.