Silent Raman imaging of highly effective anti-bacterial activity synchronous with biofilm breakage using poly(4-cyanostyrene)@silver@polylysine nanocomposites

Biofilms are known to be a great challenge for their anti-bacterial activity as they obstruct drug action for deeper and more thorough bacteria-killing effects. Therefore, developing highly effective antibacterial agents to destroy biofilms and eradicate bacteria is of great significance. Herein, a new type of nanocomposites (denoted as poly(4-cyanostyrene)@silver@polylysine) is proposed, in which polylysine (PLL) could rapidly capture the biofilms and exhibit excellent antibacterial efficacy together with decorated silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) through the charge effect and Ag+ release. Notably, nearly 100% antibacterial rates against Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli, E. coli) were achieved. More importantly, poly(4-cyanostyrene) with biological silent Raman imaging capacity is able to illustrate the relationship between antibacterial efficiency and biofilm breakage. In short, such novel nanocomposites can improve the bioavailability of each component and display tremendous potential in antibacterial applications.

Automated summary

Biofilms pose a great challenge for their anti-bacterial activity by obstructing drug action. Developing highly effective antibacterial agents to destroy biofilms is crucial. A new type of nanocomposite, poly(4-cyanostyrene)@silver@polylysine, is proposed, exhibiting excellent antibacterial efficacy through charge effect and Ag+ release. Nearly 100% antibacterial rates against S. aureus and E. coli were achieved, and the relationship between antibacterial efficiency and biofilm breakage was illustrated. These nanocomposites have great potential in antibacterial applications.