PLASMA POLYMERIZATION OF ALKANES FOR ANTIBACTERIAL THIN FILMS
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F70883521%3A28610%2F25%3A63595059" target="_blank" >RIV/70883521:28610/25:63595059 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
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DOI - Digital Object Identifier
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Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
PLASMA POLYMERIZATION OF ALKANES FOR ANTIBACTERIAL THIN FILMS
Original language description
Antimicrobial resistance represents an escalating global health crisis, driving the demand for novel surface-engineered materials capable of resisting bacterial colonization [1]. Pathogen adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation on polymeric medical devices remain critical challenges, particularly due to the persistence of multidrug-resistant bacteria [2]. Plasma surface engineering has emerged as a versatile strategy to confer antibacterial functionality to polymers without altering bulk properties [3]. Among these, plasma surface engineering—particularly atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization – offers a solvent-free, reproducible method to tailor surface wettability through thin-film deposition, without altering the bulk properties of polymer substrates.This study investigates the atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization of saturated hydrocarbon monomers n-pentane and n-hexane as precursors onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates using surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in nitrogen to fabricate antibacterial, hydrophilic coatings.The process yielded ultrathin, hydrophilic plasma polymer films characterized by enhanced surface energy and chemical functionality. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the incorporation of polar nitrogen- and oxygen-containing groups, while ellipsometry revealed a linear correlation between monomer flow rate and film thickness (up to 190 nm for pentane). Wettability improved dramatically, with water contact angles dropping below 10°, indicating superhydrophilicity. Surface morphology observed via atomic force microscopy revealed smoother topography at higher deposition rates. Treated PET surfaces demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, attributed to physicochemical antiadhesive effects rather than direct toxicity. These findings highlight the potential of plasma-deposited alkane films for scalable antibacterial coatings in biomedical contexts.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
O - Miscellaneous
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
20506 - Coating and films
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů