Lipid-Hydrogel-Nanostructure Hybrids as Robust Biofilm-Resistant Polymeric Materials

Abstract

Despite extensive efforts toward developing antibiofilm materials, efficient prevention of biofilm formation remains challenging. Approaches based on a single strategy using either bactericidal material, antifouling coatings, or nanopatterning have shown limited performance in the prevention of biofilm formation. This study presents a hybrid strategy based on a lipid-hydrogel-nanotopography hybrid for the development of a highly efficient and durable biofilm-resistant material. The hybrid material consists of nanostructured antifouling, biocompatible polyethylene glycol-based polymer grafted with an antifouling zwitterionic polymer of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine. Based on the unique composite nanostructures, the lipid-hydrogel-nanostructure hybrid exhibits superior dual functionalities of antifouling and bactericidal activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, compared with those of surfaces with simple nanostructures or antifouling coatings. Additionally, it preserves the robust antibiofilm activity even when the material is damaged under external mechanical stimuli thanks to the polymeric composite nanostructure.

Undulatory topographical waves for flow-induced foulant sweeping

“…S7A, i to iv). Previous studies reported that nanostructures with sharp tips can induce lysis of bacterial cells while physically rupturing the cell membrane ( 6 , 39 ). Thus, they are effective for the prevention of biofilm formation.…”

“…Thus, they are effective for the prevention of biofilm formation. MPC is a well-known effective antifouling material ( 4 , 39 ). By generating a nanoscale needle array or coating of the antifouling polymer MPC over the skin layer, the biofilm resistance of the dynamic composite can be further enhanced for the same T and H values (fig.…”

Multifunctional Structured Platforms: From Patterning of Polymer-Based Films to Their Subsequent Filling with Various Nanomaterials

“…UVNIL is able to produce high-quality features that can be used in biofilm [ 129 ], vascular muscle cell function [ 99 ], cell stimulation [ 98 ], data storage [ 136 ], as well as in fluidic [ 137 ] applications. Periodic patterns that can be obtained by employing UVNIL are various ( Table 2 ) and include arrays of grooves made of inorganic–organic polymer [ 137 ], of poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA) [ 99 ], and of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel grooves [ 98 ].…”

“…Periodic patterns that can be obtained by employing UVNIL are various ( Table 2 ) and include arrays of grooves made of inorganic–organic polymer [ 137 ], of poly(urethane acrylate) (PUA) [ 99 ], and of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel grooves [ 98 ]. Other relief patterns are represented by arrays of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) grafted poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) nanoneedles of a periodicity of few hundreds nanometers [ 129 ] ( Figure 6 e), arrays of metallopolymer nanodots and nanolines [ 136 ], or even arrays of poly(β-hydroxyl thio-ether) microlines, microstars ( Figure 6 f), microgrids, cylindrical cavities, and other micropatterns with acute angles [ 130 ]. Again, repetitive UVNIL combined with the use of two molds comprised of patterns of different dimensions can lead to a variety of hierarchical micro–nano recessed patterned polymer structures of high aspect ratio [ 138 ].…”

Recent developments in antimicrobial and antifouling coatings to reduce or prevent contamination and cross‐contamination of food contact surfaces by bacteria

“…Another interesting type of antibacterial surfaces is those that physically destroy bacterial cell walls through the use of sharp, needle‐like nanoscale structures oriented normally to the substrate surface (Ivanova et al., 2012, 2013; Mohammadi Nafchi et al., 2014; Park et al., 2019; Podporska‐Carroll et al., 2015; Tan et al., 2020; Tripathy et al., 2017; Tsui et al., 2018). When bacterial cells adsorb onto surfaces with such sharp nanoscale features, the features perforate the bacterial cell walls.…”