Copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid/maleic acid: Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity

2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and maleic acid (MA) copolymerized with different feed ratios using N,N-dimethylformamide as a solvent and benzoyl peroxide (Bz(2)O(2)) as an initiator at 70 degrees C. Structure and composition of copolymers for a wide range of monomer feed were determined by elemental analysis ( content of N for AMPS-units). Monomer reactivity ratios for AMPS (M-1)-MA (M-2) pair were determined by the application of conventional linearization methods such as Fineman-Ross (F-R), Kelen-Tuedoes (KT) and Extended Kelen-Tuedoes (EKT) and a nonlinear error invariable model method using a computer program RREVM. The characterizations were done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), and and X-ray diffraction. The antimicrobial effects of polymers were also tested on various bacteria, and yeast.