Functionalization of polyurethane for infection-resistance surface

Polyurethane (PU) has an eminence potential to be used as a urinary catheter because of its physicochemical properties. The biofilm accumulation on the surface of polyurethane is the biggest hindrance for its usage as a safe and prolonged catheter. Herein, the antimicrobial polyurethane was developed via wet chemistry method. Alkaline hydrolysis using NaOH was used for the generation of hydrophilic (amine) functionality on polyurethane surface. The reactant concentration and reaction time was investigated in terms of good amine functionality. The amine content at optimized condition was found to be similar to 4 mu M/g in 8 h after treating with 10% NaOH. The surface morphology of hydrolyzed polyurethane was characterized using SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique, which confirmed the formation microdomains on the PU surface due to hydrolysis. Chlorohexidine digluconate (CLX) was used as model drug and CLX was simply incorporated by immersion of the PU in the CLX solution. The immobilization of drug was confirmed using surface chemistry analysis, that is, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray mapping technique. The cumulative release of drug was observed with varying concentration of drug. Excellent bacteriostatic and bactericidal efficiency were observed for drug immobilized polyurethane against both gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria E. coli. The designed CLX-PU film did not allow the bacteria to adhere on its surface and mitigate the risk of biofilm formation.

Automated summary

In this study, antimicrobial polyurethane with hydrophilic functionality was developed by alkaline hydrolysis treatment. The immobilized drug showed excellent bacteriostatic and bactericidal efficiency, reducing the risk of biofilm formation.