The adhesion and proliferation of bacteria on solid surfaces presents a major challenge in both healthcare and industrial applications.

Crystal violet was incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by a swell–encapsulation–shrink method using chloroform as a swelling solvent.

Crystal violet–ZnO mixtures were incorporated into PDMS by a simple two step method. The modified polymer demonstrated significant antibacterial activity againstE. coliandS. aureus, showing possibly the most potent light-induced antibacterial polymer reported to date.