Speaker
Description
Alternative antimicrobial approaches capable of avoiding resistance mechanisms in bacteria are extremely needed due to the alarming emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The application of physical methods in alternative to the common chemical ones represents an important breakthrough for such purpose [1].
In this study, electroactive nanocomposites composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced to prevent microorganisms’ colonization. By applying a mechanical stimulus to the nanocomposite, which ultimately mimics movements such as walking or touching, an antimicrobial effect is obtained, resulting from the synergy between the electroactive microenvironments created on the surface of the material and the AgNPs. Both porous and non-porous PVDF-TrFe have shown antibacterial characteristics when stimulated at a mechanical frequency of 4Hz, being the effect boosted when AgNPs were incorporated in the films, reducing in more than 80 % the Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial growth in planktonic and biofilm form. The electroactive environments sensitize the bacteria allowing the action of a low dose of AgNPs (1.69 % (w/w)). Significantly, the material did not influence the viability of mammalian cells, indicating that it is biocompatible. A piezoelectric stimulation of PVDF polymer films can provide an advance in antibacterial coatings for healthcare applications [2].
References
[1] E. O. Carvalho, M. M. Fernandes, J. Padrao, A. Nicolau, J. Marques-Marchan, A. Asenjo, F. M. Gama, C. Ribeiro, S. Lanceros-Mendez, ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 27297-27305, 11(2018).
[2] J. Moreira, M. M. Fernandes, E. O. Carvalho, A. Nicolau; V. Lazic; J. M. Nedeljkovic; S. Lanceros-Mendez, Acta Biomaterialia 1742-7061, (2021).
