Abstract
The properties of materials at the nanoscale open up new methodologies for engineering prospective materials usable in high-end applications. The preparation of composite materials with a high content of an active component on their surface is one of the current challenges of materials engineering. This concept significantly increases the efficiency of heterogeneous processes moderated by the active component, typically in biological applications, catalysis, or drug delivery. Here we introduce a general approach, based on laser-induced optomechanical processing of silver colloids, for the preparation of polymer surfaces highly enriched with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). As a result, the AgNPs are firmly immobilized in a thin surface layer without the use of any other chemical mediators. We have shown that our approach is applicable to a broad spectrum of polymer foils, regardless of whether they absorb laser light or not. However, if the laser radiation is absorbed, it is possible to transform smooth surface morphology of the polymer into a roughened one with a higher specific surface area. Analyses of the release of silver from the polymer surface together with antibacterial tests suggested that these materials could be suitable candidates in the fight against nosocomial infections and could inhibit the formation of biofilms with a long-term effect.
Highlights
Thesurfaces, use of this technique is demonstrated in preparation nanoparticle-enriched polymeric which can be applied in the fight the preparation of nanoparticle-enriched polymeric surfaces, which can be applied in the against biofilm formation on medical devices
We have shown that this technique, free of any chemical mediators, enables us to enrich the ultra-thin surface layer of a broad spectrum of polymers with AgNPs
Simulations of absorbed light-to-heat conversion on the AgNPs proved that the excitation temperature together with forward-directed optical force is sufficient for the particles to penetrate into the thin surface layer of the examined semi-crystalline polymers
Summary
NPs must withstand severe reaction conditions without the tendency to coalesce, which may significantly reduce the efficiency of every required process In this regard, immobilization techniques onto carrier substrates seem to be effective tools which, together with a sufficiently high surface concentration of active particles, guarantee the abovementioned requirements and maintain a sufficient lifetime of these composite materials in NP-mediated processes. Optomechanical manipulation with objects whose dimensions are orders of magnitude smaller compared to the wavelength of excitation light seems to be a promising alternative which opens up new possibilities in the design of prospective composite materials combining nanoparticles and polymers Such materials excel in all important aspects, such as absence of a chemical bonding interlayer, presence of active particles only at the surface area of supporting material, and high bonding strength between active particles and carriers, preventing their release into surrounding environments [19]. The versatility of the proposed method lies in the possibility of immobilizing silver nanoparticles on the surface of a broad spectrum of polymers, regardless of whether they (polymer substrates) absorb radiation of a given wavelength or not
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