Polyoxazolines arise as a promising new class of polymers for biomedical applications, but creating oxzoline-based coatings via conventional methods is challenging. Herein, nanoscale polyoxazoline coatings were generated via a single step plasma deposition process. The effects of plasma deposition conditions on the film stability, structure and chemical group density were investigated. Detailed examination of the physical and chemical properties of plasma deposited polyoxazoline via XPS, FTIR, contact angle and ellipsometry unravels the complex functionality of the films. Partial retention of the oxazoline ring facilitates covalent reaction with the carboxylic acid groups present on nanoparticulates and biomolecules. Surface bound proteins effectively retain their bioactivity, therefore a vast range of potential applications unlocks for plasma deposited polyoxazoline coatings in the field of biosensing, medical arrays and diagnosis. 20 Graphical abstract Nanoscale polyoxazoline coatings generated via a single step plasma deposition process are investigated. The complex functionality of the film can be controlled by varying the deposition conditions. Partial retention of the oxazoline ring facilitates covalent binding of nanoparticules and biomolecules.
Antibacterial nanodevices could bring coatings of plastic materials and wound dressings a big step forward if the release of the antibacterial agents could be triggered by the presence of the bacteria themselves. Here, we show that novel hyaluronic acid (HA)-based nanocapsules containing the antimicrobial agent polyhexanide are specifically cleaved in the presence of hyaluronidase, a factor of pathogenicity and invasion for bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This resulted in an efficient killing of the pathogenic bacteria by the antimicrobial agent. The formation of different polymeric nanocapsules was achieved through a polyaddition reaction in inverse miniemulsion. After the synthesis, the nanocapsules were transferred to an aqueous medium and investigated in terms of size, size distribution, functionality, and morphology using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The enzyme triggered release of a model dye and the antimicrobial polyhexanide was monitored using fluorescence and UV spectroscopy. The stability of the nanocapsules in several biological media was tested and the interaction of nanocapsules with human serum protein was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry. The antibacterial effectiveness is demonstrated by determination of the antibacterial activity and determination of the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC).
Poly(2-oxazoline)s are emerging revolutionary biomaterials, exhibiting comparable and even superior properties to well-established counterparts. Overcoming current tedious wet synthesis methods, we report solvent-free and substrate independent, plasma polymerised nanoscale biocompatible polyoxazoline coatings capable of controlling protein and cell adhesion, and significantly reducing biofilm build up.
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