Antifouling and antibacterial surfaces that can prevent nonspecific biological adhesion are important to support a myriad of biomedical applications. In this study, we have used an innovative photopolymerization technology to develop sulfur-containing polymer-grafted antifouling and antibacterial surfaces. The relationship between the hydrophilic property and the capability to resist protein and macrophage adsorption of the surface copolymer brushes was investigated. The sulfide monomer incorporated into the surface copolymer brushes can be further ionized to carry positive charges and impart antibacterial activity, leading to surfaces with dual antifouling and antibacterial functions. We believe that the reported sulfur-containing polymer brushes can be considered an emerging and important polymer for antifouling and antibacterial applications.
Keywords: antibacterial; antifouling; photopolymerization; sulfur-containing polymers; surface polymer brushes.