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Abstract Conjugated polymer brush (CPB) films are more robust and exhibit more vertically aligned polymer chains than their spun‐cast analogs. We prepare CPB films of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) by coupling an amine‐terminated surface (ATS) formed from (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) on Si/SiO₂to 4‐bromobenzoic acid using standard, inexpensive peptide coupling reagents. The resulting terminal bromobenzene is reacted with Pd(PtBu₃)₂and immersed in the monomer solution. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry and static water contact angle measurements confirm the surface chemistry at each stage of P3HT CPB preparation. Atomic force microscopy(AFM) and UV–vis spectrophotometry indicate that the CPB films prepared by this method exhibit similar morphology and optical properties to those produced from other methods of poly(3‐alkylthiophene) CPB film preparation. Variations of the standard approach, such as using a pre‐synthesized silane counterpart or with (11‐aminoundecyl)triethoxysilane, show comparable film morphologies by AFM. This method is used to produce the first CPB film of poly(3‐dodecylthiophene), showing its utility for exploring CPB films of more sterically demanding polymers. Peptide coupling is used to prepare an analogous functionalized thiol for initiating P3HT CPB film growth from Au surfaces, and microcontact printing with this thiol allows preparation of the first patterned CPB film of P3HT. 

Bacterial infections due to biofilms account for up to 80% of bacterial infections in humans. With the increased use of antibiotic treatments, indwelling medical devices, disinfectants, and longer hospital stays, antibiotic resistant infections are sharply increasing. Annual deaths are predicted to outpace cancer and diabetes combined by 2050. In the past two decades, both chemical and physical strategies have arisen to combat biofilm formation on surfaces. One such promising chemical strategy is the formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), due to its small layer thickness, strong covalent bonds, typically facile synthesis, and versatility. With the goal of combating biofilm formation, the SAM could be used to tether an antibacterial agent such as a small-molecule antibiotic, nanoparticle, peptide, or polymer to the surface, and limit the agent’s release into its environment. This review focuses on the use of SAMs to inhibit biofilm formation, both on their own and by covalent grafting of a biocidal agent, with the potential to be used in indwelling medical devices. We conclude with our perspectives on ongoing challenges and future directions for this field.