| Summary: | Copolymer of polyacrylonitrile grafted with cellulose (AN-g-cellulose) was modified by reacting with hydroxylamine hydrochloride at pH 6, to functionalize it with amidoxime functional groups. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was carried out to characterize the AN-g-cellulose to confirm the presence of amidoxime groups. Water swelling characterization has also been conducted to investigate the water absorptivity of the modified cellulose polymers. The antimicrobial activity was tested against a Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and a Gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most of the modified polymers do not seem to inhibit microbial growth, except for AN-g-cellulose on S. aureus, suggesting the need for further modifications and functionalizations to improve the antimicrobial properties. © 2018 Author(s).
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