Antibacterial coatings on poly(fluoroethylenepropylene) films via grafting of 3-hexadecyl-1-vinylimidazolium bromide

Surface coatings of pretreated poly(fluoroethylene propylene) (FEP) films by UV-induced graft copolymerization with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and an antimicrobial agent, 3-hexadecyl-1-vinylimidazolium bromide (VIB), have been carried out. Surface chemical and morphological modifications were investigated with spectroscopic analysis using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction distribution map of bromide atoms. Fluorescein dye absorption studies were performed in order to quantify the amount of reacted VIB. Antibacterial activities were assayed with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, a Gram positive bacterium) culture on HEMA-VIB modified FEP specimens, prepared with different amounts of the antimicrobial agent. In addition to bactericidal properties, the functionalized FEP surface also prevented the adhesion of microorganisms to the film.

► HEMA and 3-hexadecyl-1-vinylimidazolium bromide are copolymerized on FEP film.
► Grafted FEP samples exhibits antibacterial activity.
► Antibacterial activity depends on imidazolium concentration and bioavailability.