Covalent grafting of sodium p-styrene sulfonate to stainless steel for antibacterial applications

Sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS) was successfully grafted on the surface of 316 stainless steel surfaces (SS-SCASSS) via Thiol-ene click reactions with the aim to improve its antibacterial properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSM) and contact angle measurements were employed to analyze physico-chemical characteristics of the modified SS. The antibacterial properties of SS-SCA-SSS was evaluated using a bacterial strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The antibacterial efficiency results showed that the SS-SCA-SSS surface exhibited satisfactory long-term antibacterial capability against E. coli. Bacterial adhesion of both SS-SCA-SSS and reused SS-SCA-SSS was reduced to 18% of those on SS. The positive results obtained in this study indicate the high potential of SSS grafting on SS surfaces for practical usages.

Automated summary

Successful grafting of sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS) on the surface of 316 stainless steel significantly improves its antibacterial properties. Analysis and evaluation of the modified stainless steel surface show satisfactory long-term antibacterial capability against Escherichia coli (E. coli).