Engineered Bioactive Polymeric Surfaces by Radiation Induced Graft Copolymerization: Strategies and Applications.

Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef,Teo Ming Ting,Kamyar Shameli,Roshafima Rasit Ali,Bhuvanesh Gupta,Chetna Verma

doi:10.3390/polym13183102

Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef, Teo Ming Ting + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183102

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Abstract

The interest in developing antimicrobial surfaces is currently surging with the rise in global infectious disease events. Radiation-induced graft copolymerization (RIGC) is a powerful technique enabling permanent tunable and desired surface modifications imparting antimicrobial properties to polymer substrates to prevent disease transmission and provide safer biomaterials and healthcare products. This review aims to provide a broader perspective of the progress taking place in strategies for designing various antimicrobial polymeric surfaces using RIGC methods and their applications in medical devices, healthcare, textile, tissue engineering and food packing. Particularly, the use of UV, plasma, electron beam (EB) and γ-rays for biocides covalent immobilization to various polymers surfaces including nonwoven fabrics, films, nanofibers, nanocomposites, catheters, sutures, wound dressing patches and contact lenses is reviewed. The different strategies to enhance the grafted antimicrobial properties are discussed with an emphasis on the emerging approach of in-situ formation of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in radiation grafted substrates. The current applications of the polymers with antimicrobial surfaces are discussed together with their future research directions. It is expected that this review would attract attention of researchers and scientists to realize the merits of RIGC in developing timely, necessary antimicrobial materials to mitigate the fast-growing microbial activities and promote hygienic lifestyles.

Highlights

The development of various materials with antimicrobial properties has enabled the medical progress in the past several decades to take place [1]
Antimicrobial properties are needed to reduce the risk posed to human health by the contamination of medical tools, implants and other healthcare products by bacterial colonization forming biofilm, and to enhance the performance of many industrial processes including food processing and packing, marine transport, and water treatment [3,4]
The use of high-energy radiation (γ-rays and electron beam (EB)) for grafting initiation is superior to low-energy radiation (UV and plasma) initiation in terms of speed, flexibility, the ability to control the level of incorporated grafted functionality and its industrial-scale applications

Summary

Introduction

The development of various materials with antimicrobial properties has enabled the medical progress in the past several decades to take place [1]. The antimicrobial properties are of utmost significance in preventing/reducing spreading of infectious diseases and combating the continuous emergence of new microbes with drug resistance. Antimicrobial properties are needed to reduce the risk posed to human health by the contamination of medical tools, implants and other healthcare products by bacterial colonization forming biofilm, and to enhance the performance of many industrial processes including food processing and packing, marine transport, and water treatment [3,4]. The development of new antimicrobial materials to eliminate/substantially reduce the extent of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation to surfaces remains of utmost significance and continues to receive intensive efforts

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Conclusion