Switchable Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201200359
• Publication Date: 2013-02-06T08:28:17Z
• Authors: Bin Cao; Qiong Tang; Linlin Li; Jayson Humble; Haiyan Wu; Lingyun Liu; Gang Cheng
• Keywords: Anti-Infective Agents; Cyclization; Polymers; Surface Properties; Cations; Escherichia coli; Hydrogels; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

New switchable hydrogels are developed. Under acidic conditions, hydrogels undergo self-cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, hydrogels undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. Smart hydrogels also show a dramatically improved mechanical property, which is highly desired for biomedical applications.