Carbon nanotube incorporation in PMMA to prevent microbial adhesion

Abstract

Although PMMA-based biomaterials are widely used in clinics, a major hurdle, namely, their poor antimicrobial (i.e., adhesion) properties, remains and can accelerate infections. In this study, carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to achieve drug-free antimicrobial adhesion properties. After characterizing the mechanical/surface properties, the anti-adhesive effects against 3 different oral microbial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans) were determined for roughened and highly polished surfaces using metabolic activity assays and staining for recognizing adherent cells. Carboxylated multiwalled CNTs were fabricated and incorporated into PMMA. Total fracture work was enhanced for composites containing 1 and 2% CNTs, while other mechanical properties were gradually compromised with the increase in the amount of CNTs incorporated. However, the surface roughness and water contact angle increased with increasing CNT incorporation. Significant anti-adhesive effects (35~95%) against 3 different oral microbial species without cytotoxicity to oral keratinocytes were observed for the 1% CNT group compared to the PMMA control group, which was confirmed by microorganism staining. The anti-adhesive mechanism was revealed as a disconnection of sequential microbe chains. The drug-free antimicrobial adhesion properties observed in the CNT-PMMA composite suggest the potential utility of CNT composites as future antimicrobial biomaterials for preventing microbial-induced complications in clinical settings (i.e., Candidiasis).

The effect of nanodiamonds on candida albicans adhesion and surface characteristics of PMMA denture base material - an in vitro study

“…Hashem, et al 40 (2017) suggested that the addition of titanium oxide nanoparticles to PMMA improves its wettability. However, Kim, et al 41 (2019) found an increase in the water contact angle with increasing carbon nanotube content in PMMA. Their study demonstrated that an increase in the contact angle increases the material's surface hydrophobicity, enhancing Candida albicans adhesion 42 .…”

Silver Nanoparticles Addition in Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Dental Matrix: Topographic and Antimycotic Studies

“…Recently, Kim et al [16] used carbon nanotubes (CNT) (0.25/2 wt%) as an additive in PMMA finding a reduction of C. albicans , S. aureus, and S. mutans adhesions of 35–95%. However, there are many concerns about the use of CNTs for clinical purposes [17].…”

Three new coordination polymers based on bis(4-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)phenyl)methane: syntheses, structures, multiresponsive luminescent sensitive detection for antibiotics and pesticides, and antitumor activities

“…Pesticides play a vital role in agricultural production, however, which not only causes serious environmental pollution, but also becomes a great harm to human health. [41][42][43] Effective detection of pesticides in the environment is needed and CPs-based sensors provided a viable alternative technique. We tried to detect pesticides in water with CP 2 as a uorescent probe which exhibited good performance in antibiotics recognition.…”