Facile preparation of composite antimicrobial Al2O3 particles.

• Epoxypropyl dimethydodecyl ammonium chloride (EPDDMAC) were grafted on γ-Al 2 O 3 particles. • α-Al 2 O 3 were coated with EVOH and modified with EPDDMAC. • Using the TIPS method, the alumina particles can be completely encapsulated with less polymer. • γ-Al 2 O 3 /EPDDMAC particles and α-Al 2 O 3 @EVOH/EPDDMAC particles showed great antimicrobial performance. Antimicrobial particles can inhibit or kill microorganisms, and have been widely used as antimicrobial filler in coatings and polymers. Herein, we present a facile method to prepare antimicrobial alumina particles by grafting epoxypropyl dimethydodecyl ammonium chloride (EPDDMAC) on γ-Al 2 O 3 or ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) coated α-Al 2 O 3.The results show that EPDDMAC can be grafted on γ-Al 2 O 3 or EVOH-coated α-Al 2 O 3 particles effectively, and the grafting rate rises with the increased EPDDMAC amount. The grafted composite particles exhibit excellent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and display great potential in antibacterial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]