A
polymer comprising
pyridinium salt moieties, wherein the
polymer has the following structure: In this structure, R1 and R6 are each N. At least a portion of R2 and R7 groups in the
polymer are each negatively charged counterions selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, nitrates, nitrites, azides, metasilicates, tetraborate, perborates, boronates, oxalatob orates, metaborates,
phosphorus-containing anions, halides, sulfates, SO4 -2, HSO4 -1,
thiosulfate,
dithionite, metabisulfite,
persulfate, methanesulfonate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, 3-sulfopropyl ethoxylate laurylphenyl
ether, and combinations thereof. R3, R4, R8, R9, R11, R13, R14, R15, and R16 are each selected from the group consisting of H and groups including one or more carbon atoms. R5 and R10 are any group including one or more carbon atoms. The n is an integer from 2 to about 100,000.