Nanostructured multilayer polyelectrolyte films with silver nanoparticles as antibacterial coatings

Ultrathin polyelectrolyte films containing silver nanoparticles appear to be a promising material for antimicrobial coatings used in the medical area. The present work is focused on the formation of multilayer polyelectrolyte films using: polyethyleneimine (PEI) as polycation, Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as polyanions and negatively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which led to the polyelectrolyte-silver nanocomposite coatings. The film thickness and mass were measured by ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and the structure and morphology of films were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Systematic increase of the UV-Vis absorption confirmed formation of the consecutive layers of the film. The analysis of bacteria cell adhesion to films surface was done by the luminometry measurement. Three gram-negative bacterial strains with strong adhesive properties were used in this study: Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Asaia lannenesis. It was found that nanocomposite films have antimicrobial properties, which makes them very interesting for a number of practical applications, e.g. for the prevention of microbial colonization on treated surfaces.