Polyelectrolyte Complex that Minimizes Bacterial Adhesion to Polyester

Abstract

Bacterial adhesion is a major concern in the medical field, where bacterial fouling can lead to diminished device efficacy and failure. To combat this, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) can be used to modify surfaces to reduce bacterial attachment. In the present study, a water-based PEC of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) [PDDA] and poly(acrylic acid) are deposited in a simple two-step process to the surface of polyester fabric. This process includes the deposition of a dissolved mixture of the two polyelectrolytes, followed by the formation of the ionic network through exposure to citric acid buffer. These coatings facilitate the removal of >95% of deposited Staphylococcus aureus after simple rinsing with deionized water. The high degree of surface ionization monitored by FTIR suggests that electrostatic repulsion is responsible for the observed antifouling activity. The morphology of these coatings which is monitored by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) is shown to depend on curing the curing conditions, which suggests that this simple process can be tailored to many applications.

Phosphate and nitrogen‐rich polyelectrolyte complex flame retardant treatment for cotton fleece

“…PECs are entropy‐driven associations of oppositely‐charged polyelectrolytes, whose complexation is determined by concentration, ionic strength, and solution pH. PECs can be deposited in a few steps, imparting flame retardancy, gas barrier, or antibacterial properties to a material 5,19,20 . When only one species is sufficiently charged, a stable, water‐soluble PEC exists.…”

“…PECs can be deposited in a few steps, imparting flame retardancy, gas barrier, or antibacterial properties to a material. 5,19,20 When only one species is sufficiently charged, a stable, water-soluble PEC exists. Under circumstances where both polyelectrolytes are highly charged (e.g., acidic pH), the complex is rendered insoluble.…”

Polyelectrolyte photopolymer complexes for flame retardant wood

“…[16][17][18][19][20] These buffer-cured PEC treatments have also found use as gas barrier and antifouling coatings. [21][22][23] The practical application of this technology for wood is still limited by the need for long, sequential immersions of the substrate and the fact that the buffers foul quickly and are not reusable. Some alternative methods are presently being studied to deposit PECs more quickly.…”

Polyelectrolyte Coacervate Coatings That Dramatically Improve Oxygen Barrier of Paper

“…Polyelectrolyte deposition is well-known for its ambient processing, and utilization of environmentally benign materials in aqueous-based solutions, to generate functional thin films. − There is little environmental concern in regard to these films due to lack of harmful solvents and materials that are often used to impart barrier properties on cellulosic substrates using more traditional approaches. Furthermore, these coatings are typically ionically cross-linked and can be expected to exhibit recyclable and self-healing behaviors due to the dynamic/reversible nature of ionic bonds. − Coatings prepared with these charged polymers have been utilized for their flame retardant, dielectric, heat shielding, antifouling, and gas barrier properties. − In the present study, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of polyethylenimine (PEI)-poly­(acrylic acid) [PAA] coacervates, prepared with and without clay nanoplatelets, on paper substrates is investigated. Each coacervate provides a two-order of magnitude reduction in OTR when compared to the uncoated control (≥96% reduction).…”