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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

41.1K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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Surface Tension and Surface Energy01:16

Surface Tension and Surface Energy

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When a paint brush is immersed in water, the bristles wave freely inside the water. When it is taken out, the bristles stick together. The reason behind this effect is surface tension.
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

4.0K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
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Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

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Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
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Preparation of Functional Silica Using a Bioinspired Method
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Bioinspired bactericidal surfaces with polymer nanocone arrays.

Gavin Hazell1, Leanne E Fisher1, W Andrew Murray2

  • 1Bristol Dental School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|June 6, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Nanostructured surfaces can kill bacteria. This study shows that poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocone arrays with specific spacing and dimensions effectively reduce bacterial contamination on medical devices.

Keywords:
BactericidalBioinspiredBiomaterialsNanoconeNanotopography

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Bacterial biofilm infections on medical devices pose significant clinical challenges and patient risks.
  • Surface nanotopography is a promising strategy for developing bactericidal materials.
  • Controlling nanoscale surface features can impart antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To engineer poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocone arrays with tunable dimensions.
  • To investigate the bactericidal efficacy of these nanocone arrays against common bacterial pathogens.
  • To establish structure-activity relationships between nanocone geometry and bacterial killing efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocone arrays using polystyrene nanosphere-mask colloidal lithography.
  • Tuning nanocone array spacing via mask diameter modification.
  • Adjusting individual nanocone dimensions (height, tip width, base diameter) through oxygen plasma etching time.
  • Evaluating bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Main Results:

  • Nanocone array center-to-center spacing was controlled by altering mask diameter.
  • Nanocone height, tip width, and base diameter were modulated by adjusting oxygen plasma etching time.
  • Surfaces with densely populated nanocone arrays (200 nm spacing), high aspect ratios (>3), and narrow tip widths (<20 nm) demonstrated significant bactericidal activity.
  • Approximately 30% of bacteria were killed on optimized nanocone array surfaces.

Conclusions:

  • Engineered poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocone arrays exhibit potent bactericidal properties.
  • Surface nanotopography, specifically dense arrays with high aspect ratios and sharp tips, is critical for antimicrobial efficacy.
  • This approach offers a promising strategy for developing novel antimicrobial surfaces for medical devices to combat biofilm infections.