Sains Malaysiana 55(2)(2026): 257-270

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5502-06

 

Quaternized Ionic Poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) Exhibiting Chain Length and Amphiphilicity Dependent Thermal and Enzymatic Degradation

(Poli(2-(dimetilamino)etil metakrilat) Ion Terkuaternisasi yang Menunjukkan Degradasi Terma dan Enzim Bergantung pada Panjang Rantai dan Amfifilisiti)

 

NORAFIZAH AHMAD SHAYUTI¹, AINA AQILA ARMAN ALIM²,
SITI FATAHIYAH MOHAMAD⁵, NORAZIAH MOHAMAD ZIN³, NUR HAZLIN HAZRIN-CHONG⁴ & RUSLI DAIK^1,*

¹Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
²Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
³Center of Diagnostics, Therapeutics & Investigations, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
⁴Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia 
⁵Radiation Processing and Technology Division, Malaysia Nuclear Agency, 43000 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Received: 25 September 2025/Accepted: 4 February 2026

 

Abstract

Amphiphilic polymers derived from quaternized 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) were synthesized via radical polymerization to achieve a balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments for antibacterial applications. Quaternization with bromoalkane compounds introduced alkyl side chains, thereby enhancing amphiphilicity and enabling tunable physicochemical properties. The polymers obtained exhibited molecular weights ranging from 1600 to 50600 Da, providing a wide distribution suitable for correlating chain length with performance characteristics. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that all samples maintained stability up to 400 °C, indicating robust thermal resistance. Enzymatic degradation studies demonstrated time-dependent surface erosion, with pore formation observed on polymer surfaces beginning at day 5, accompanied by progressive weight reduction. Structural and morphological analyses were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which verified successful functional group modification; meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed distinct topographical changes associated with amphiphilic behavior and biodegradability of the polymer. Collectively, the findings highlight the successful design of amphiphilic DMAEMA-based polymers with promising thermal stability, controlled degradability, and structural versatility, underscoring their potential utility in antibacterial material development.

Keywords: Amphiphilic polymer; biodegradability; thermal behavior

 

Abstrak

Polimer amfifilik yang diperoleh daripada kuaternisasi 2-(N, N-dimethylamino)etil metakrilat (DMAEMA) telah disintesis melalui pempolimeran radikal yang bertujuan untuk mencapai keseimbangan antara segmen hidrofilik dan hidrofobik sebagai aplikasi antibakteria. Kuaternisasi dengan sebatian bromoalkana dengan penambahan rantai sisi alkil dapat meningkatkan polimer amfifilik dan membolehkan sifat fizikokimia yang boleh dilaras. Polimer yang diperoleh menunjukkan berat molekul antara 1600 hingga 50600 Da, memberikan taburan luas yang sesuai untuk mengaitkan panjang rantai dengan ciri prestasi. Analisis termogravimetri mengesahkan bahawa semua sampel mengekalkan kestabilan sehingga suhu 400 °C, menunjukkan rintangan haba yang baik. Kajian degradasi berenzim menunjukkan hakisan permukaan polimer, dengan pembentukan liang diperhatikan pada permukaan polimer bermula pada hari ke-5, disertai dengan pengurangan jisim polimer yang progresif. Analisis struktur dan morfologi telah dilakukan menggunakan spektroskopi inframerah transformasi Fourier (FTIR) yang mengesahkan pengubahsuaian kumpulan berfungsi telah berjaya manakala mikroskop elektron pengimbasan (SEM) menunjukkan perubahan topografi berbeza yang dikaitkan dengan sifat amfifilik dan kebolehuraian polimer. Secara keseluruhan, kajian ini berjaya mereka bentuk polimer berasaskan DMAEMA dengan sifat amfifilik dengan kestabilan haba yang baik, penguraian terkawal dan kepelbagaian struktur, menggariskan potensi utilitinya dalam pembangunan bahan antibakteria.

Kata kunci: Kebolehuraian; polimer amfifilik; tingkah laku haba

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 *Corresponding author; email: rusli.daik@ukm.edu.my