Synthesis and antibacterial activity of surface-coated catechol-conjugated polymer with silver nanoparticles on versatile substrate.

In the present study, 2-chloro-3′,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone (CCDP), a catechol derivative, was quaternized with poly(propylene oxide)-g-poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PPO-g-PDMA, PgP) to prepare surface coatings for various substrates. The surfaces of noble metals, oxides, and synthetic polymers were coated by immersion in an aqueous solution of CCDP quaternized with PgP (C-PgP). The catechol functional groups that remained on the surface were used for deposition of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the coated surface, to provide a water-resistant antibacterial polymer with long-term antimicrobial activity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed deposition of C-PgP and AgNPs on the surface coated with the antibacterial polymer. Surface-immobilized C-PgP/AgNPs showed outstanding antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium, and Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium. C-PgP/AgNPs can be applied to a variety of substrates and can therefore be used as antibacterial materials in various fields. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]