Functionally graded polymeric materials: A brif review of current fabrication methods and introduction of a novel fabrication method

• FGPM was for the first time prepared using electrophoresis.
• EDX and XPS results confirmed the dispersal gradient of TC in PLA/TC film.
• Dispersal of TC in the film improved antibacterial property of composite material.

The present work reviews the current fabrication methods of the functionally graded polymeric material (FGPM) and introduces a novel fabrication method that is versatile in applications as compared to those of existing used methods. For the first time electrophoresis was used to control the distribution of the tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) in a film made of polylactic acid (PLA), aiming to induce antimicrobial effect on the film prepared. The elemental analysis on the film surface showed that by employing electrophoresis force, higher amount of TC was detected near the top surface of the film. Results also showed that the FGPM samples with higher percentage of the TC on the film surface were highly effective to minimize the growth of Escherichia coli. These findings are useful and important to improve dispersion quality of the particles in the composite material and further enhance its antibacterial property.