Biomimetic Silver-Containing Colloids of Poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) and Their Film-Formation Properties

Abstract

The synthesis of stable dispersions of hybrid colloids comprising copolymers of biocompatible 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and zwitterionic, biomimetic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) incorporating antibacterial AgBF(4) by inverse miniemulsion is described. The prepared hybrid colloids were designed to provide both antibacterial and antifouling properties for the formation of interesting, multifunctional films. The obtained particles had sizes in the range of 130-160 nm with two different weight ratios of MPC to HEMA (1:10 and 2:5) and AgBF(4) contents between 0% and 15%. The silver salt takes on the role of the lipophobe in stabilizing the miniemulsion droplets against Ostwald ripening and is reduced after polymerization to Ag nanoparticles by gaseous hydrazine. Subsequently, the hybrid particles are transformed into smooth and stable films with thicknesses between 145 and 225 nm by simple drop casting and solvent annealing. The dispersions and films were thoroughly characterized by DLS, TEM, SEM, EDX, TGA, UV-vis spectroscopy, ICP-OES, XRD, AFM, and contact angle measurements. After immersion into water, the films did not show detectable leakage of silver, so they could be employed as dual-functional antifouling and antibacterial coatings.

Synthesis of nanostructured materials in inverse miniemulsions and their applications

“…Nanogels containing metal salts may function as nanoreactors in the preparation of metal/polymer hybrid nanoparticles. 82 The silver/polymer nanoparticles could also be obtained via reduction of silver ions by the polyol process in silver salt/polymer nanoparticles at a high temperature (150 C). 9).…”

Effects of antimicrobial agents on the thermal and mechanical properties of acrylate hydrogel matrices

“…Different antimicrobial agents have been used in the past such as antiseptics (fluorescein, ciprofloxacin, Chlorhexidine, diacetate, Gatifloxacin, …), oxides (zinc oxide), peptides (maximin lipopeptide‐4), antimicrobial polymers (chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, …), or metal compounds (nanometric particles or silver nitrate) …”

Effects of interaction between a polycation and a nonionic polymer on their cross-assembly into mixed micelles

“…1 Infection is chiefly attributed to the adhesion of bacteria and biofilm formation. 2 Earlier generations of antibacterial materials based on drug/ chemical elution, such as antibiotics, 3 nano silver, 4 and gold nanoparticles, 5 unfortunately have short-term antibacterial effects and cause cumulative toxicity or microbe resistance. 6 Recently, growing attention has been paid to polymer biocides because they are chemically stable without releasing low molecular weight toxic chemicals to the environment and barely permeate through the skin.…”