Bioinspired Durable Antibacterial and Antifouling Coatings Based on Borneol Fluorinated Polymers: Demonstrating Direct Evidence of Antiadhesion

Macrophage-Inspired marine antifouling coating with dynamic surfaces based on regulation of dynamic covalent bonds

Macrophages can kill bacteria and viruses by releasing free radicals, which provides a possible approach to construct antifouling coatings with dynamic surfaces that release free radicals if the breaking of dynamic covalent bonds is precisely regulated. Herein, inspired by the defensive behavior of macrophages of releasing free radicals to kill bacteria and viruses, a marine antifouling coating composed of polyurethane incorporating dimethylglyoxime (PUx-DMG) is prepared by precise regulation of dynamic oxime-urethane covalent bonds. The obtained alkyl radical (R·) derived from the cleavage of the oxime-urethane bonds manages to effectively suppress the attachment of marine biofouling. Moreover, the intrinsic dynamic surface makes it difficult for biofouling to adhere and ultimately achieves sustainable antifouling property. Notably, the PU50-DMG coating not only presents efficient antibacterial and antialgae properties, but also prevents macroorganisms from settling in the sea for up to 4 months. This provides a pioneer broad-spectrum strategy to explore the marine antifouling coatings.

Fabrication of Stable Liquid-like Wetting Buckled Surfaces as Bioinspired Antibiofouling Coatings by Using Silicon-Containing Block Copolymers

Inspired by animals with a slippery epidermis, durable slippery antibiofouling coatings with liquid-like wetting buckled surfaces are successfully constructed in this study by combining dynamic-interfacial-release-induced buckling with self-assembled silicon-containing diblock copolymer (diBCP). The core diBCP material is polystyrene-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS). Because silicon-containing polymers with intrinsic characters of low surface energy, they easily flow over and cover a surface after it has undergone controlled thermal treatment, generating a slippery wetting layer on which can eliminate polar interactions with biomolecules. Additionally, microbuckled patterns result in curved surfaces, which offer fewer points at which organisms can attach to the surface. Different from traditional slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces, the proposed liquid-like PDMS wetting layer, chemically bonded with PS, is stable and slippery but does not flow away. PS-b-PDMS diBCPs with various PDMS volume fractions are studied to compare the influence of PDMS segment length on antibiofouling performance. The surface characteristics of the diBCPs─ease of processing, transparency, and antibiofouling, anti-icing, and self-cleaning abilities─are examined under various conditions. Being able to fabricate ecofriendly silicon-based lubricant layers without needing to use fluorinated compounds and costly material precursors is an advantage in industrial practice.

Enhanced adhesive and mechanically robust silicone-based coating with excellent marine anti-fouling and anti-corrosion performances

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is widely used in marine antifouling coatings due to its low surface energy property. However, certain drawbacks of PDMS coatings such as poor surface adhesion, weak mechanical properties, and inadequate static antifouling performance have hindered its practical applications. Herein, condensation polymerization is utilized to prepare PDMS-based polythiamine ester (PTUBAF) coatings that consist of PDMS, polytetrahydrofuran (PTMG), 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrafluoro-1, 4-benzenedimethanol (TBD) as the main chains and isobornyl acrylate(IBA) as the antifouling group. The surface adhesion to the substrate is enhanced due to the hydrogen bond between the coated carbamate group and the hydroxyl group on the surface of the substrate. Mechanical properties of PTUBAF are significantly improved due to the benzene ring and six-membered ring biphase hard structure. The strong synergistic effect of bactericidal groups and low surface energy surface endows the PTUBAF coating with outstanding antifouling performance. Due to the low surface energy surface, the PTUBAF coatings are also found to possess excellent anti-corrosion. Furthermore, since the PTUBAF coatings exhibit a visible light transmittance of 91 %, they can applied as protective films for smartphones. The proposed method has the potential to boost the production and practical applications of silicone-based coatings.

An insect sclerotization-inspired antifouling armor on biomedical devices combats thrombosis and embedding

Thrombus formation and tissue embedding significantly impair the clinical efficacy and retrievability of temporary interventional medical devices. Herein, we report an insect sclerotization-inspired antifouling armor for tailoring temporary interventional devices with durable resistance to protein adsorption and the following protein-mediated complications. By mimicking the phenol-polyamine chemistry assisted by phenol oxidases during sclerotization, we develop a facile one-step method to crosslink bovine serum albumin (BSA) with oxidized hydrocaffeic acid (HCA), resulting in a stable and universal BSA@HCA armor. Furthermore, the surface of the BSA@HCA armor, enriched with carboxyl groups, supports the secondary grafting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), further enhancing both its antifouling performance and durability. The synergy of robustly immobilized BSA and covalently grafted PEG provide potent resistance to the adhesion of proteins, platelets, and vascular cells in vitro. In ex vivo blood circulation experiment, the armored surface reduces thrombus formation by 95 %. Moreover, the antifouling armor retained over 60 % of its fouling resistance after 28 days of immersion in PBS. Overall, our armor engineering strategy presents a promising solution for enhancing the antifouling properties and clinical performance of temporary interventional medical devices.

All-Natural Injectable Antibacterial Hydrogel Enabled by Chitosan and Borneol

Hydrogels with intrinsic antimicrobial capabilities based on natural strategies have been studied as a hot topic in biomedicine. Nevertheless, it is highly challenging to thoroughly develop a bacteriostatic natural hydrogel. Borneol as a traditional Chinese medicine possesses a unique broad-spectrum antibacterial activity under a membrane-breaking mechanism. In this study, a range of fully natural antibacterial hydrogels are designed and synthesized via the Schiff base cross-linking of carboxymethyl chitosan and dialdehyde dextran grafted natural borneol. The borneol with three configurations is hydrophilically modified onto dextran to boost its antibacterial activity. Also, the synergism of hydrophilic-modified borneol groups and positively charged ammonium ions of carboxymethyl chitosan make the hydrogels totally constrict the E. coli and S. aureus growth during 24 h. Furthermore, the hydrogels exhibit good in vitro cytocompatibility through cytotoxicity, protein adhesion, and hemolytic tests. In view of the injectability, the hydrogels can be delivered to the target site through a minimally invasive route. In short, this work offers a potential tactic to develop antibacterial hydrogels for the treatment of topical wound infections.

Ag2O-Containing Biocidal Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes on Glass Surfaces-Adhesive Properties of the Coatings

Biocidal coatings are of great interest to the healthcare system. In this work, the biocidal activity of coatings based on a complex biocide containing polymer and inorganic active antibacterial components was studied. Silver oxide was distributed in a matrix of a positively charged interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) using ultrasonic dispersion, forming nanoparticles with an average size of 5-6 nm. The formed nanoparticles in the matrix are not subject to agglomeration and changes in morphology during storage. It was found that the inclusion of silver oxide in a positively charged IPEC allows a more than 4-fold increase in the effectiveness of the complex biocide against E. coli K12 in comparison with the biocidal effect of PDADMAC and IPEC. Polycation, IPEC, and the IPEC/Ag2O ternary complex form coatings on the glass surface due to electrostatic adsorption. Adhesive and cohesive forces in the resulting coatings were studied with micron-scale coatings using dynamometry. It was found that the stability of the coating is determined primarily by adhesive interactions. At the macro level, it is not possible to reliably identify the role of IPEC formation in adhesion. On the other hand, use of the optical tweezers method makes it possible to analyze macromolecules at the submicron scale and to evaluate the multiple increase in adhesive forces when forming a coating from IPEC compared to coatings from PDADMAC. Thus, the application of ternary IPEC/Ag2O complexes makes it possible to obtain coatings with increased antibacterial action and improved adhesive characteristics.

Interfacial regulation of BiOI@Bi2S3/MXene heterostructures for enhanced photothermal and photodynamic therapy in antibacterial applications

Developing environmentally friendly, broad-spectrum, and long-lasting antibacterial materials remains challenging. Our ternary BiOI@Bi2S3/MXene composites, which exhibit both photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) antibacterial properties, were synthesized through in-situ vulcanization of hollow flower-shaped BiOI on the surface of two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene. The unique hollow flower-shaped BiOI structure with a high exposure of the (001) crystal plane amplifies light reflection and scattering, offering more active sites to improve light utilization. Under 808 nm irradiation, these composites achieved a photothermal conversion efficiency of 57.8 %, boosting the PTT antibacterial effect. The heterojunction between Bi2S3 and BiOI creates a built-in electric field at the interface, promoting hole and electron transfer. Significantly, the close-contact heterogeneous interface enhances charge transfer and suppresses electron-hole recombination, thereby boosting PDT bacteriostatic performance. EPR experiments confirmed that ∙O2- and •OH radicals play major roles in photocatalytic bacteriostatic reactions. The combined antibacterial action of PTT and PDT led to efficiencies of 99.7 % and 99.8 % against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively, under 808 nm laser irradiation. This innovative strategy and thoughtful design open new avenues for heterojunction materials in PTT and PDT sterilization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Photodynamic and photothermal therapy is a promising antibacterial treatment, but its efficiency still limits its application. To overcome this limitation, we prepared three-dimensional heterogeneous BiOI@Bi2S3/MXene nanocomposites through in-situ vulcanization of hollow flower-shaped BiOI with a high exposure of the (001) crystal plane onto the surface of two-dimensional MXene material. The resulting ternary material forms a close-contact heterogeneous interface, which improves charge transfer channels, reduces electron-hole pair recombination, and amplifies photodynamic bacteriostatic performance. These nanocomposites exhibit photothermal conversion efficiency of 57.8 %, enhancing their photothermal bactericidal effects. They demonstrated antibacterial efficiencies of 99.7 % against P. aeruginosa and 99.8 % against S. aureus. Therefore, this study provides a promising method for the synthesis of environmentally friendly and efficient antibacterial materials.

Research Progress on Low-Surface-Energy Antifouling Coatings for Ship Hulls: A Review

The adhesion of marine-fouling organisms to ships significantly increases the hull surface resistance and expedites hull material corrosion. This review delves into the marine biofouling mechanism on marine material surfaces, analyzing the fouling organism adhesion process on hull surfaces and common desorption methods. It highlights the crucial role played by surface energy in antifouling and drag reduction on hulls. The paper primarily concentrates on low-surface-energy antifouling coatings, such as organic silicon and organic fluorine, for ship hull antifouling and drag reduction. Furthermore, it explores the antifouling mechanisms of silicon-based and fluorine-based low-surface-energy antifouling coatings, elucidating their respective advantages and limitations in real-world applications. This review also investigates the antifouling effectiveness of bionic microstructures based on the self-cleaning abilities of natural organisms. It provides a thorough analysis of antifouling and drag reduction theories and preparation methods linked to marine organism surface microstructures, while also clarifying the relationship between microstructure surface antifouling and surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, it reviews the impact of antibacterial agents, especially antibacterial peptides, on fouling organisms' adhesion to substrate surfaces and compares the differing effects of surface structure and substances on ship surface antifouling. The paper outlines the potential applications and future directions for low-surface-energy antifouling coating technology.

In situ reaction enabled surface segregation toward dual-heterogeneous antifouling membranes for oil-water separation

Fabricating membranes with superior antifouling property and long-term high performance is in great demand for efficient oil-water separation. Herein, we reported a reaction enabled surface segregation method for antifouling membrane fabrication, in which the pre-synthesized fluorinated ternary copolymer Pluronic F127 was coordinated with Ti4+ as segregation additive in the membrane casting bath. Additionally, tannic acid was utilized to enhance the self-assembly of the copolymer in the coagulation bath, and freshly-biomineralized TiO2 was anchored into the membrane surface through hydrogen bond. A hydrogel layer was constructed onto the membrane surface with synergistically tailored heterogeneous chemical composition and heterogeneous geometrical roughness. The dual-heterogeneous membrane exhibited hydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic features, resulting in high water flux (621.7 L m-2 h-1) at low operation pressure of 0.05 MPa and an excellent antifouling property (only 4.8% flux decline during 24-hour filtration). In situ reaction enabled surface segregation method will accelerate the development of antifouling membranes for oil-in-water emulsion separation.

Size-Controlled Ammonium-Based Homopolymers as Broad-Spectrum Antibacterials

Ammonium group containing polymers possess inherent antimicrobial properties, effectively eliminating or preventing infections caused by harmful microorganisms. Here, homopolymers based on monomers containing ammonium groups were synthesized via Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (RAFT) and evaluated as potential antibacterial agents. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive (M. luteus and B. subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. typhimurium). Three polymers, poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride), poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride), and poly(vinyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride), were examined to explore the effect of molecular weight (10 kDa, 20 kDa, and 40 kDa) on their antimicrobial activity and toxicity to mammalian cells. The mechanisms of action of the polymers were investigated with dye-based assays, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed collapsed and fused bacterial morphologies due to the interactions between the polymers and components of the bacterial cell envelope, with some polymers proving to be bactericidal and others bacteriostatic, while being non-hemolytic. Among all the homopolymers, the most active, non-Gram-specific polymer was poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride), with a molecular weight of 40 kDa, with minimum inhibitory concentrations between 16 and 64 µg/mL, showing a bactericidal mode of action mediated by disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. This homopolymer could be useful in biomedical applications such as surface dressings and in areas such as eye infections.

Hydrogel-Anchored Fe-Based Amorphous Coatings with Integrated Antifouling and Anticorrosion Functionality

Biofouling and corrosion of underwater equipment induced by marine organisms have become major issues in the marine industry. The superior corrosion resistance of Fe-based amorphous coatings makes them suitable for marine applications; however, they have a poor antifouling ability. In this work, a hydrogel-anchored amorphous (HAM) coating with satisfactory antifouling and anticorrosion performance is designed, utilizing an interfacial engineering strategy involving micropatterning, surface hydroxylation, and a dopamine intermediate layer to increase the adhesion strength between the hydrogel layer and the amorphous coating. The as-obtained HAM coating exhibits exceptional antifouling properties, achieving 99.8% resistance to algae, 100% resistance to mussels, and excellent biocorrosion resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antifouling and anticorrosion performance of the HAM coating was also explored by conducting a marine field test in the East China Sea, and no signs of corrosion and fouling are observed after 1 month of immersion. It is revealed that the outstanding antifouling properties stem from the killing-resisting-camouflaging trinity that resists organism attachment across different length scales, and the excellent anticorrosion performance originates from the remarkable barrier of the amorphous coating against Cl^- ion diffusion and microbe-induced biocorrosion. This work presents a novel methodology for designing marine protective coating with excellent antifouling and anticorrosion properties.

Eco-friendly marine antifouling coating consisting of cellulose nanocrystals with bioinspired micromorphology

Nanomaterial-incorporated surfaces with microstructures have been widely used for marine antifouling coatings, yet limited green antifouling coatings are currently available for sustainable application, given the potential environmental effects of nanomaterial-based nanofillers. Here, by using natural sourced nanomaterials (cellulose nanocrystals, CNCs) as nanofillers, a nanocomposite superhydrophobic coating was fabricated via a simple sol-gel synthesis method. Notably, CNCs were firstly applied in the marine antifouling realm to form uniform and stable coatings, which were condensed with hydroxyl groups of hydrolyzed tetrapropyl zirconate, 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and methyltrimethoxysilane. The synthesized coatings gained a biomimetic microscopic ridge-like surface, where more CNCs contents contributed to finer microstructures. As a result of the influence of CNCs content on surface wettability and antifouling properties, the coating with CNCs accounting for 20 wt% of the total solid content (CNC20) delivered the best antifouling performance. Furthermore, 90-day marine field tests verified CNC20's excellent antifouling ability, reducing fouling by 82 % in comparison to the control group. Such a biomimicry study provides a novel strategy for the development of environmentally friendly coatings with CNCs nanofillers.

Recent nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the life cycle of bacterial biofilms

Biofilm formation plays an important role in the resistance development in bacteria to conventional antibiotics. Different properties of the bacterial strains within biofilms compared with their planktonic states and the protective effect of extracellular polymeric substances contribute to the insusceptibility of bacterial cells to conventional antimicrobials. Although great effort has been devoted to developing novel antibiotics or synthetic antibacterial compounds, their efficiency is overshadowed by the growth of drug resistance. Developments in nanotechnology have brought various feasible strategies to combat biofilms by interfering with the biofilm life cycle. In this review, recent nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the biofilm life cycle according to the requirements of different stages are summarized. Additionally, the importance of strategies that modulate the bacterial biofilm microenvironment is also illustrated with specific examples. Lastly, we discussed the remaining challenges and future perspectives on nanotechnology-based strategies for the treatment of bacterial infection.

Dual Coordination between Stereochemistry and Cations Endows Polyethylene Terephthalate Fabrics with Diversiform Antimicrobial Abilities for Attack and Defense

Modification of fabrics by stereochemical antiadhesion strategies is an emerging approach to antimicrobial fabric finishing. However, a purely antiadhesive fabric cannot avoid the passive adhesion of pathogenic microorganisms. To address this issue, borneol 4-formylbenzoate (BF) with a stereochemical structure is introduced into a cationic polymer PEI-modified PET fabric by a simple two-step method. The obtained fabric exhibits remarkable features of high bactericidal activity, excellent resistance to bacterial adhesion, desirable fungal repellent performance, and low cytotoxicity. More impressively, this modified fabric not only effectively reduces microbial contamination during food preservation but also plays a role in avoiding infection and accelerating wound healing in the mouse wound model. The dual coordination between stereochemistry and cations is validated as a viable "attack and defense" antimicrobial strategy, providing an effective guide for diversiform antimicrobial designs.

Fabrication of Hierarchical Patterned Surfaces Using a Functionalized CeO2-EPDM Composite for Crevice Corrosion Prevention on High-Voltage Insulators

Crevice corrosion accounts for 62% of the recorded breakdown of insulators utilized in transmission lines, which may interfere with the reliability of power utilities. To address these challenges, sustainable and resilient slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) are developed on insulators to prevent electrochemically/biochemically induced crevice corrosion especially occurring in tropical and coastal environments. The conventional way of developing SLIPS by chemical and physical etching might interfere with the mechanical stability of insulators composed of pin (galvanized steel), cement, and shell (porcelain). The current study proposes a noble concept of developing hierarchical patterned textured surfaces on insulators to fabricate a resilient SLIPS coating without physical/chemical etching. The proposed coating exhibits 99% antiadhesion performance against a mixed culture of bacterial strains, superior hydrophobicity (contact angle: 160°, contact angle hysteresis: 4°), and crevice corrosion resistance performance at elevated temperatures (25-75 °C) and humidity. This study could facilitate a new route for the development of sustainable and highly reliable SLIPS coatings in the future.

Low-Temperature Photothermal Therapy Based on Borneol-Containing Polymer-Modified MXene Nanosheets

Noninvasive photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging strategy for eliminating multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria that achieve sterilization by generating temperatures above 50 °C; however, such a high temperature also causes collateral damage to healthy tissues. In this study, we developed a low-temperature PTT based on borneol-containing polymer-modified MXene nanosheets (BPM) with bacteria-targeting capabilities. BPM was fabricated through the electrostatic coassembly of negatively charged two-dimensional MXene nanosheets (2DM) and positively charged quaternized α-(+)-borneol-poly(N,N-dimethyl ethyl methacrylate) (BPQ) polymers. Integrating BPQ with 2DM improved the stability of 2DM in physiological environments and enabled the bacterial membrane to be targeted due to the presence of a borneol group and the partially positive charge of BPQ. With the aid of near-infrared irradiation, BPM was able to effectively eliminate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) through targeted photothermal hyperthermia. More importantly, BPM effectively eradicated more than 99.999% (>5 orders of magnitude) of MRSA by localized heating at a temperature that is safe for the human body (≤40 °C). Together, these findings suggest that BPM has good biocompatibility and that membrane-targeting low-temperature PTT could have great therapeutic potential against MDR infections.

Bioengineering Approaches to Fight against Orthopedic Biomaterials Related-Infections

One of the most serious complications following the implantation of orthopedic biomaterials is the development of infection. Orthopedic implant-related infections do not only entail clinical problems and patient suffering, but also cause a burden on healthcare care systems. Additionally, the ageing of the world population, in particular in developed countries, has led to an increase in the population above 60 years. This is a significantly vulnerable population segment insofar as biomaterials use is concerned. Implanted materials are highly susceptible to bacterial and fungal colonization and the consequent infection. These microorganisms are often opportunistic, taking advantage of the weakening of the body defenses at the implant surface–tissue interface to attach to tissues or implant surfaces, instigating biofilm formation and subsequent development of infection. The establishment of biofilm leads to tissue destruction, systemic dissemination of the pathogen, and dysfunction of the implant/bone joint, leading to implant failure. Moreover, the contaminated implant can be a reservoir for infection of the surrounding tissue where microorganisms are protected. Therefore, the biofilm increases the pathogenesis of infection since that structure offers protection against host defenses and antimicrobial therapies. Additionally, the rapid emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics prompted the development of new alternative approaches to prevent and control implant-related infections. Several concepts and approaches have been developed to obtain biomaterials endowed with anti-infective properties. In this review, several anti-infective strategies based on biomaterial engineering are described and discussed in terms of design and fabrication, mechanisms of action, benefits, and drawbacks for preventing and treating orthopaedic biomaterials-related infections.

Recent Progress on Bioinspired Antibacterial Surfaces for Biomedical Application

Surface bacterial fouling has become an urgent global challenge that calls for resilient solutions. Despite the effectiveness in combating bacterial invasion, antibiotics are susceptible to causing microbial antibiotic resistance that threatens human health and compromises the medication efficacy. In nature, many organisms have evolved a myriad of surfaces with specific physicochemical properties to combat bacteria in diverse environments, providing important inspirations for implementing bioinspired approaches. This review highlights representative natural antibacterial surfaces and discusses their corresponding mechanisms, including repelling adherent bacteria through tailoring surface wettability and mechanically killing bacteria via engineering surface textures. Following this, we present the recent progress in bioinspired active and passive antibacterial strategies. Finally, the biomedical applications and the prospects of these antibacterial surfaces are discussed.

Temperature-triggered fluorocopolymer aggregate coating switching from antibacterial to antifouling and superhydrophobic hemostasis

The multifunction antibacterial hemostatic materials can reduce blood loss, infection and wound complications, which probably decrease morbidity and health care costs. However, the contradictory relationship between antibacterial ability and biocompatibility, and the unnecessary blood loss restricts the practical application of hydrophilic cationic antibacterial hemostatic materials. Herein, a multifunctional temperature-triggered antibacterial hemostatic fluorocopolymer aggregate coating was developed. After self-assembly and quaternization process, the quaternized poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-b-poly(1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate) block copolymers (PDMA-b-PFOEMA) aggregate coating consisting of fluoropolymer and quaternary ammonium salt were built. The synergistic effect on fluorinated block with low surface energy and quaternary ammonium salt block with bactericide activity severs the way of initial bacterial attachment and proliferation, while the migration of fluorinated block greatly promotes the biocompatibility and anti-adhesion performance in response to the switch from room temperature to physiological temperature. Furthermore, the fluorocopolymer aggregate coating with hydrophobic properties possessed the property of rapid coagulation, low blood loss, minor secondary bleeding and least bacteria infiltration. The multifunctional temperature-triggered fluorocopolymer aggregate coating with antifouling, antibacterial and hemostatic properties may have a great potential in the biomedical application.

Construction of Antibacterial Adhesion Surfaces Based on Bioinspired Borneol-Containing Glycopolymers

Preparation of antibacterial coating materials is considered an effective strategy to prevent medical device-related infections. In the present study, by combining 2-lactobionamidoethyl methacrylamide with a unique structure borneol compound, new...

Inserting Menthoxytriazine into Poly(ethylene terephthalate) for Inhibiting Microbial Adhesion

Antimicrobial modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is effective in preventing the adhesion and growth of microorganisms on its surface. However, few methods are available to modify PET directly at its backbone to impart the antimicrobial effect. Herein, menthoxytriazine-modified PET (PMETM) based on the stereochemical antimicrobial strategy was reported. This novel PET was prepared by inserting menthoxytriazine into the PET backbone. The antibacterial adhesion test and the antifungal landing test were employed to confirm the antiadhesion ability of PMETM. PMETM could effectively inhibit the adhesion of bacteria, with inhibition ratios of 99.9 and 99.7% against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), respectively. In addition, PMETM exhibited excellent resistance to Aspergillus niger (fungal) contamination for more than 30 days. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that PMETM was a noncytotoxic material. These results suggested that the insertion of menthoxytriazine in the PET backbone was a promising strategy to confer antimicrobial properties to PET.