Copolymers of Diallyldimethylammonium Chloride and Vinyl Ether of Monoethanolamine: Synthesis, Flocculating, and Antimicrobial Properties

N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) and vinyl ether of monoethanolamine (VEMEA) copolymer P(DADMAC-VEMEA) were synthesized using radical polymerization in water media using ammonium persulfate as an initiator. The synthesis of this copolymer was investigated over a wide composition range at low conversion levels. The viscosity of the copolymers was measured in aqueous 1 M NaCl. Flocculating action and antimicrobial activities of the copolymers P(DADMAC-VEMEA) against microbacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were studied. Synthesized copolymers had flocculating effects and can be used to purify wastewater from particles of bentonite clays. Also, the copolymer with a molar composition [DADMAC]: [VEMEA] = (80 divided by 20):(20 divided by 80) retarded the population of both bacteria, Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) in the diffusion zone. Furthermore, the copolymer with a molar composition [DADMAC]:[VEMEA] = (90 divided by 10):(20 divided by 80) had bactericidal properties against SRB. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the copolymer varied from 0.01% to 0.1% depending on the molar composition of the copolymer.