Soft Surface Nanostructure with Semi-Free Polyionic Components for Sustainable Antimicrobial Plastic

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Diane S. W. Lim¹  Yugen Zhang¹  Guangshun Yi¹  Arunmozhiarasi Armugam¹  Shook Pui Chan¹ 

[1] Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos 07-01, Singapore 138669, Singapore;

关键词: antimicrobial plastic;    sustainable material;    surface phase seperation;    surface nanostructure;    semi-free polyionic;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms222212315

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Surface antimicrobial materials are of interest as they can combat the critical threat of microbial contamination without contributing to issues of environmental contamination and the development drug resistance. Most nanostructured surfaces are prepared by post fabrication modifications and actively release antimicrobial agents. These properties limit the potential applications of nanostructured materials on flexible surfaces. Here, we report on an easily synthesized plastic material with inherent antimicrobial activity, demonstrating excellent microbicidal properties against common bacteria and fungus. The plastic material did not release antimicrobial components as they were anchored to the polymer chains via strong covalent bonds. Time-kill kinetics studies have shown that bactericidal effects take place when bacteria come into contact with a material for a prolonged period, resulting in the deformation and rupture of bacteria cells. A scanning probe microscopy analysis revealed soft nanostructures on the submicron scale, for which the formation is thought to occur via surface phase separation. These soft nanostructures allow for polyionic antimicrobial components to be present on the surface, where they freely interact with and kill microbes. Overall, the new green and sustainable plastic is easily synthesized and demonstrates inherent and long-lasting activity without toxic chemical leaching.

【 授权许可】

Unknown