Functionalization of Polymer Surface with Antimicrobial Microcapsules

Abstract

The development of antimicrobial polymers is a priority for engineers fighting microbial resistant strains. Silver ions and silver nanoparticles can assist in enhancing the antimicrobial properties of microcapsules that release such substances in time which prolongs the efficiency of antimicrobial effects. Therefore, this study aimed to functionalize different polymer surfaces with antimicrobial core/shell microcapsules. Microcapsules were made of sodium alginate in shell and filled with antimicrobial silver in their core prior to application on the surface of polymer materials by dip-coating methodology. Characterization of polymers after functionalization was performed by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. After the characterization of polymers before and after the functionalization, the release of the active substances was monitored in time. The obtained test results can help with the calculation on the minimal concentration of antimicrobial silver that is encapsulated to achieve the desired amounts of release over time.

A decade of developing applications exploiting the properties of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules

“…For example, the ability to synthesize Ag nanoparticle-based composites under gentle conditions shows the additional promise to produce versatile antimicrobial agents. [384][385][386][387] The self-assembly microcapsules of charged biopolymer, diethylaminoethyl-dextran hydrochloride (dex + ) and dextran sulfate (dex À ), also demonstrated inherent antibacterial capacity. 388 The release of active tea polyphenols (TP) and e-poly-L-lysine hydrochloride (e-PL) molecules from the TP/e-PL composite microcapsules enable improved antibacterial performance than that of single preservatives, Fig.…”

Characterization of Nanoparticles in Antimicrobial Coatings for Medical Applications—A Review

“…This trend persists particularly in the fields of medicine and dentistry, where AgNPs find extensive use due to their robust antibacterial properties [4]. Significantly, within the industry, the segment associated with AgNPs stands as one of the fastest-growing product sectors [5].…”

Special Issue: Synthesis, Processing, Structure and Properties of Polymer Materials

“…In this Special Issue, 33 original articles have been published on various topics, including the preparation, characterization, and some examples of application of polymeric materials. This issue includes review articles [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] and research articles [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…The scope of research articles of papers included a Special Issue is very wide. It includes papers on the synthesis and study of the properties of new thermoplastic polymers [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], obtaining of composites [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], nanocomposites [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], microspheres [ 20 , 21 ], polymeric blends [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], hydrophobic nanostructures [ 25 ], polymeric membranes [ 26 , 27 ], hydrogels [ 28 ] and others [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…In the paper of Rezić et al [ 21 ], optimization of the microencapsulation process through two steps of simple and complex coacervation for further effective functionalization of polymers by dip-coating methodology was presented. The authors prepared functionalized different polymer surfaces with antimicrobial core-shell microcapsules and characterized of polymers after functionalization by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.…”