Multifunctional Antibacterial Materials Comprising Water Dispersible Random Copolymers Containing a Fluorinated Block...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on medical materials pose significant public health risks.
• Developing effective antibacterial surfaces is crucial for preventing device-associated infections.
• Existing solutions often lack multifunctionality or scalability for widespread use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel multifunctional antibacterial nanoparticles for surface coatings.
• To evaluate the antifouling, antimicrobial, and fluorescence properties of these nanoparticles.
• To assess the biocompatibility and efficacy of nanoparticle-coated medical devices in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of water-dispersible poly(acrylic acid-co-1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl acrylate) (PAA-co-PFDA) copolymers via free radical polymerization.
• Formation of PAA-co-PFDA/poly(hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB) complex nanoparticles through cross-linking and complexation.
• Coating application on various substrates, including medical catheters, followed by extensive in vitro and in vivo testing.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated multifunctional PAA-co-PFDA/PHMB complex nanoparticles forming transparent, uniform coatings.
• Coatings exhibited aggregation-induced emission for visualization and demonstrated resistance to bacterial adhesion in physiological environments.
• In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed excellent antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility of coated catheters.

Conclusions:

• The developed PAA-co-PFDA/PHMB complex nanoparticles offer a scalable and simple method for creating advanced antibacterial coatings.
• These nanoparticles possess a unique combination of antifouling, antimicrobial, emission, and pH-responsive properties.
• The multifunctional nanoparticles hold significant potential for diverse biomedical applications, enhancing medical device safety and efficacy.