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The stable nitroxide radical TEMPO [(2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl] has a multitude of applications in fields ranging from energy storage to biomedical applications and many more. However, to date, the processes of incorporating nitroxide radicals into thin-film coatings are laborious and not cost-effective, which hinders their wider use in many applications. In contrast, the authors have recently demonstrated the facile method of plasma polymerization of TEMPO into thin-film coatings that retain the stable nitroxide radicals. In this work, we are using three types of mass spectroscopic methods (plasma-mass spectrometry, time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and electron spin resonance to track the fate of the TEMPO molecule from monomer flask through the plasma and inside the resulting coatings. The results of this study demonstrate that TEMPO is a versatile monomer that can be used across different plasma reactors and reliably retain the stable nitroxide radical in the resulting thin-film coatings if certain process conditions are observed, namely, higher process pressures and lower powers.

Bacterial infections are continuing to pose a significant threat to human health. Coatings with inherent antibacterial properties are becoming increasingly common as an infection preventative measure. The aim of this review is to highlight recent progress in development of "smart" and responsive antibacterial surfaces. The review describes various strategies utilized for generation of such surfaces and the specific stimuli that are used to trigger antibacterial action. It also provides a critical discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of different approaches. The review concludes with a perspective about the future of the field and outlines the challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome in order to make future advances. Refereed/Peer-reviewed