Dual-Mechanism Antimicrobial Polymer-ZnO Nanoparticle and Crystal Violet-Encapsulated Silicone

The prevalence of healthcare-associated infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria is of critical concern worldwide. It is reported on the development of a bactericidal surface prepared by use of a simple, upscalable, two-step dipping strategy to incorporate crystal violet and di(octyl)-phosphinic-acid-capped zinc oxide nanoparticles into medical grade silicone, as a strategy to reduce the risk of infection. The material is characterized by UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confirmed the incorporation of the ZnO nanoparticles in the polymer. The novel system proves to be a highly versatile bactericidal material when tested against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, key causative micro-organisms for hospitalacquired infection (HAI). Potent antimicrobial activity is noted under dark conditions, with a significant enhancement exhibits when the surfaces are illuminated with a standard hospital light source. This polymer has the potential to decrease the risk of HAI, by killing bacteria in contact with the surface.