Hybrid nanolayers of star polymers and silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity

The aim of this study was to obtain stable star polymer layers with incorporated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to study the antimicrobial activity of these hybrid materials. In this work, a novel approach regarding the synthesis of AgNPs directly by the star polymer layer is presented. Nanolayers of poly(N,N'-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and hydroxyl-bearing poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] (P(DMAEMA-co-OEGMA-OH)) stars, covalently bound with solid supports, were obtained through chemical reaction of hydroxyl groups in the star arms with substrate modified with imidazole derivative. Quantitative chemical composition analysis and tracking of the changes in the morphology and wettability after every step of surface modification confirmed the covalent attachment of stars with the support. In the next step, the polymer nanolayers were modified with AgNPs formed in situ using only amine groups of the star arms and followed by the crystal quartz microbalance (QCM). The analysis of the layer thickness and affinity to water, both with the shape, size and amount of silver incorporated into the layer, confirmed the efficacy of AgNPs formation. The amount of silver incorporated into layers was correlated with the molar masses of the grafted stars, and a possible location of AgNPs within layers was shown. The antibacterial activity tests of prepared nanolayers showed that obtained hybrid materials were highly effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria strains. This study shows that the obtained layers are promising as stable coatings for antibacterial applications.