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Optically Transparent Antibacterial Films Capable of Healing Multiple Scratches
Author(s) -
Wang Xu,
Wang Yan,
Bi Shuai,
Wang Yongguo,
Chen Xigao,
Qiu Lingying,
Sun Junqi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201302109
Subject(s) - triclosan , materials science , polyethylenimine , antibacterial activity , chemical engineering , nanocomposite , self healing , bromide , acrylic acid , thin film , nanotechnology , composite material , polymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , bacteria , medicine , transfection , biochemistry , genetics , alternative medicine , monomer , pathology , biology , engineering , gene
Optically transparent antibacterial films capable of healing scratches and restoring transparency are fabricated by exponential layer‐by‐layer assembly of branched polyethylenimine (bPEI)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) films and post‐diffusion of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles encapsulated with antibacterial agent triclosan. The triclosan‐loaded bPEI/PAA transparent films can effectively inhibit the growth of gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria by the sustained release of triclosan molecules. Healing of multiple scratches on the triclosan‐loaded bPEI/PAA films can be conveniently achieved by immersing the films in water or spraying water on the damaged films, which also fully restores their transparency. The self‐healing ability of these transparent antibacterial films originates from the ability of bPEI and PAA to flow and recombine in the presence of water. The triclosan‐loaded bPEI/PAA films have satisfactory mechanical stability under ambient conditions, and thus show potential for application as transparent protective films with antibacterial properties.