Switchable antimicrobial and antifouling hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties

Abstract

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.

Keywords: antifouling; antimicrobial; hydrogel; lactone; zwitterionic materials.