Mussel-inspired coatings with tunable wettability for enhanced antibacterial efficiency
Scientists report an in-depth study on the effect of extreme wettability on the antibacterial efficiency of a silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-based coating.
Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in research on antibacterial surface coatings as an alternative strategy against bacterial infections. Although there are several examples of effective strategies to prevent bacterial adhesion, the effect of the wetting properties on the coating was rarely considered as a crucial factor.
Now scientists report an in-depth study on the effect of extreme wettability on the antibacterial efficiency of a silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-based coating. By controlling surface polymerisation of mussel-inspired dendritic polyglycerol (MI-dPG) and post-functionalisation, surfaces with wetting properties ranging from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic were fabricated. Subsequently, AgNPs were embedded into the coatings by applying in situ reduction using the free catechols-moieties present in the MI-dPG coating.
Excellent antibacterial ability
The resulting polymer coatings exhibited excellent antibacterial ability against planktonic Escherichia coli (E. coli) DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) SH1000. The antibacterial efficiency of the coatings was analysed by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and bacterial viability tests. Furthermore, the antifouling properties of the coatings in relation to the antibacterial properties were evaluated.
The study has been published in Journal of Materials Chemistry B, Issue 21, 2019.
