Reactive Extrusion Strategies to Fabricate Magnetite–Polyethylene Nanocomposites with Enhanced Mechanical and Magnetic Hyperthermia Properties

Abstract

Biofouling is a major problem in water filtration units, which leads to premature system failure. Conventional treatment methods involving the use of chemicals or high‐pressure hydraulics exert mechanical strain on filter materials, leading to shortened service lifetimes. In this study, a novel magnetic polymer nanocomposite is fabricated using a blend of high density/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) fillers. The resulting magnetite–polyethylene nanocomposite (MPE‐NC) is mechanically robust and can be externally actuated with an alternating magnetic field to generate localized heating that is effective in eradicating bacterial biofilms. The MNPs are functionalized with silane‐based coupling agents and crosslinked onto the polyethylene backbone via a reactive extrusion approach, which results in a twofold enhancement in mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the magnetic hyperthermia performance of the MPE‐NC is improved eightfold by replacing undoped magnetite nanospheres with zinc‐doped magnetite nanocube fillers, and the magnetic hyperthermia treatment approach is shown to be 12 times more effective in destroying bacterial biofilms compared to a direct heat‐treatment method. During hyperthermia treatment, the mechanical integrity of the MPE‐NC is preserved, thereby validating the potential of the MPE‐NC as a new filter material with high efficiency in biofilm removal and extended durability.

Magnetic Glycol Chitin-Based Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Combined Thermal and d-Amino-Acid-Assisted Biofilm Disruption

“…It can be observed that a lower increase in temperature was achieved in the hydrogel sample (5 °C) compared to when the MNPs are in solution (25 °C). The decrease in heating efficiency of the c-MNPs in the gel matrix can be attributed to the viscous nature of the hydrogel whereby Brownian rotation is restricted leading to lower heating performance , (Figure D).…”

“…21,22,24−29 Moreover, magnetic hyperthermia has also been demonstrated to be much more effective than direct heating toward the destruction of the bacterial cell membrane integrity, as well as promoting modifications on the bacterial cell surface and biofilm structure that can eventually lead to successful eradication. 23,24 The thermal disruption of bacterial biofilms using magnetic hyperthermia is attractive because it does not rely on the use of antibiotics and could treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. In addition, magnetic hyperthermia can be exploited to enable localized heating for targeted biofilm eradication.…”

“…Recently, the use of magnetic hyperthermia for antibacterial applications has been explored, and it has been demonstrated to be a promising approach to inactivate bacteria both as planktonic cells and as associated biofilms. − Magnetic hyperthermia using biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles that generate heat when exposed to an alternating current (AC) magnetic field has been reported to enhance the antibiotic efficacy of drugs, as well as stimulate biofilm dispersal. ,,− Moreover, magnetic hyperthermia has also been demonstrated to be much more effective than direct heating toward the destruction of the bacterial cell membrane integrity, as well as promoting modifications on the bacterial cell surface and biofilm structure that can eventually lead to successful eradication. , The thermal disruption of bacterial biofilms using magnetic hyperthermia is attractive because it does not rely on the use of antibiotics and could treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. In addition, magnetic hyperthermia can be exploited to enable localized heating for targeted biofilm eradication …”

Possibilities and impossibilities of magnetic nanoparticle use in the control of infectious biofilms

“…3(c)) to allow subsequent easier killing of bacteria by antibiotics in their planktonic state [71]. Besides application of magnetic hypothermal treatment in infection-control, it is being considered to prevent bacteriallyinduced food spoilage caused by Pseudomonas fluorescens [72] and contamination of water by Escherichia coli [73].…”

Applications and challenges of using 3D printed implants for the treatment of birth defects

“…In a separate study, Kim et al (2013) explored the use of SPIONs for targeted hyperthermia to eradicate S. aureus infection in both in vitro cell culture models as well as in vivo mice models without causing tissue injuries. In 2016, Situ et al improved the material properties of SPIONs and demonstrated that Zn-doping can enhance performance and antibiofilm efficacy in E. coli biofilms (Situ et al, 2016). Similarly, magnetic hyperthermia coupled with antibiotics has been shown to eradicate biofilms formed by S. epidermidis (Geilich, Gelfat, Sridhar, van de Ven, & Webster, 2017) and P. aeruginosa (Nguyen, Duong, Selvanayagam, Boyer, & Barraud, 2015).…”