Antimicrobial polymers containing melamine derivatives. I. Preparation and characterization of chloromelamine‐based cellulose

A reactive melamine derivative, 2‐amino‐4‐chloro‐6‐hydroxy‐ s ‐triazine (ACHT), was synthesized through the controlled hydrolysis of 2‐amino‐4,6‐dichloro‐ s ‐triazine. The reaction was characterized with Fourier transform infrared study and elemental analysis. ACHT could react with cotton cellulose at room temperature with a cold‐pad‐batch treatment process. Upon chlorination reactions, the amino group of covalently bound ACHT could be transformed into an N ‐halamine structure, providing potent, durable, and rechargeable antimicrobial activities against both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. The chlorination mechanism and the structure–property relationship of the treated samples were further examined.