Novel bactericidal PVC surfaces were developed. Cationic copolymers containing alkyne groups and quaternary ammonium or phosphonium groups were successfully synthesized and characterized. These polymers were grafted by click chemistry on PVC surfaces bearing azide groups (PVC-N3). The modified surfaces exhibited higher polarity and hydrophilicity in comparison with non grafted surfaces. Accessible surface charge densities varied from 1.1 x 10(14) to 6.5 x 10(14) charge cm(-2). In these conditions, bactericidal effects of the cationic surfaces against Escherichia coil and Staphylococcus epidermidis were evidenced by the Live and Dead fluorescent assay. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.