Single-step fabrication of non-leaching antibacterial surfaces using vapor crosslinking

We report the fabrication of non-leaching antibacterial surfaces using a single-step vapor crosslinking method. Vapors of dimethylaminomethylstyrene (DMAMS) and ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) were copolymerized to produce crosslinked polymer coatings conformally on both planar and porous substrates. The antibacterial properties of coatings with systematically controlled crosslinked degrees were studied. The crosslinked coatings kill bacteria through disruption of the bacteria membrane upon surface contact. Bacteria reduction rates as high as 99.99% were achieved against both Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The strong antibacterial activity of the highly crosslinked coatings indicates that the mobility and length of antibacterial polymer chains are not critical in determining the bactericidal activity of the P(DMAMS-co-EGDA) coatings. Leaching tests demonstrated that the P(DMAMS-co-EGDA) coatings did not leach from the surface and were stable after the durability tests.