Abstract
Surface modification of thin films is often performed to enhance their properties. In this work, in situ modification of Terpinen-4-ol (T4) plasma polymer is carried out via simultaneous surface functionalization and nanoparticle immobilization. Terpinen-4-ol plasma polymers surface were decorated with a layer of ZnO nanoparticles in an oxygen plasma environment immediately after polymer deposition. A combination of hydrophilic modification and ZnO nanoparticle functionalization of the T4 polymer surface led to an enhancement in antibacterial properties by factor of 3 (from 0.75 to 0.25 CFU.mm−2). In addition, ZnO nanoparticle-modified coatings demonstrated improved UV absorbing characteristics in the region of 300–400 nm by 60% relative to unmodified coatings. The ZnO modified coatings were transparent in the visible region of 400–700 nm. The finding points towards the potential use of ZnO nanoparticle-modified T4 plasma polymers as optically transparent UV absorbing coatings.
Highlights
Bacterial adhesion to material surface is the primary step in biofilm development
This study investigates the effect of surface modification of terpinen-4-ol plasma polymers via in-situ hydrophilic modification via oxygen plasma treatment and ZnO nanoparticle (Np) immobilization on antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli
The use of argon and oxygen as a carrier gas had a profound influence on the deposition rate and degree of fragmentation of terpinen-4-ol during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)
Summary
Bacterial adhesion to material surface is the primary step in biofilm development. Biofilm formation can potentially have severe health and industrial repercussions [1,2], with examples including implant-associated infections [3,4] and marine fouling of environmental sensors, pontoons [5,6,7]. PEG functionalized surfaces have been widely used for the development of safer central venous catheters [21], hemodialysis membranes [23], and biosensors and biochips [24,25] Surface modification techniques such as block co-polymerization [26,27], covalent grafting of hydrophilic groups to surfaces [28], nanoparticle functionalization [29,30], atom transfer radical polymerization [31], Radio Frequency plasma deposition and modifications of surfaces have been used to fabricate surfaces showing antifouling properties. This study investigates the effect of surface modification of terpinen-4-ol plasma polymers via in-situ hydrophilic modification via oxygen plasma treatment and ZnO nanoparticle (Np) immobilization on antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The approach used in this study overcomes this challenge by proposing a method by which the desired antimicrobial property of terpinen-4-ol can be retained and further enhanced by ZnO Np immobilization and surface wettability modification of the polymer
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