Leaching-Free durable antibacterial composite films constructed via delicate balance between potent contact sterilization and low adhesion

Abstract

Durable antibacterial surfaces are often required high bactericidal ability and low bacterial adhesion property, but the potent bactericidal surfaces, especially based on the contact bactericidal mechanism, are often paradoxically intended to attract bacteria to adhere. In this work, a delicate balance between the potent contact bactericidal action and low bacterial adhesion was successfully achieved in quaternized fluoropolymer/SiO2 composite films (QFP/SiO2 CFs) through judicious selection of a common fluorinated monomer, a common quaternary ammonium monomer, and a common inert inorganic nanoparticle, to acquire suitable surface energy and chain mobility to ensure low bacterial adhesion, as well as to allow appropriate surface-exposed quaternary ammonium units to synergistically enhance the contact bactericidal action with the specific fluorinated side chains. The QFP/SiO2 CFs were conveniently fabricated through miniemulsion polymerization and followed squeegeeing technique. The QFP/SiO2 CF with an optimized composition exhibited extremely low initial adhesion of bacteria, potent contact bactericidal action, superior long-term antibacterial performance, easy sonication-assistant regeneration for multiple usage, and low cytotoxicity with non-leachable attribute. This work may guide the design and efficient fabrication of leaching-free durable antibacterial surfaces for biological applications, as well as provide an effective strategy to balance contact bactericidal action and low bacteria adhesion for durable antibacterial performance.