A New Antibacterial N-Halamine Coating Based on Polydopamine

To prevent the formation of biofilms on material surfaces, the latter must have antibacterial properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the synthesis and the antibacterial effect of a new N-halamine coating based on polydopamine (PDA). The benefits of this coating are multiple, notably the green process used to prepare it and the wide variety of organic or inorganic materials that can be functionalized. First, the formation of the PDA coating by oxidative polymerization of dopamine in weak alkaline aqueous solution was studied and characterized. Then, these PDA films were exposed to a NaOCl solution in order to form chloramine functions into the coating, i.e., to immobilize oxidative chlorine on and into the coating. The PDA film chlorination was notably followed in situ by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The influence of the NaOCl solution pH and concentration on chlorination kinetics and on PDA film degradation was evidenced. Finally, the antibacterial properties of the modified PDA coatings were highlighted by testing their antiadhesion and bactericidal properties toward the Escherichia coli bacterial strain.