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Materials
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Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
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Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 6102

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Izabela Barszczewska-Rybarek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Interests: polymers; polymeric materials; polymer properties; polymer characterization; structure–property relationships; dimethacrylate monomer synthesis; dental materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-based materials have a superior status in all engineering sciences that attempt to address modern technology requirements. However, particular applications require them to have antimicrobial properties. Their antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral activity is in demand in different sectors, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, food packaging, clothing, coatings, furniture, and civil engineering. The achievement of novel bioactive products results from a long and complex process. It must comply with the criteria of physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Combining bioactivity with desired elasticity, high durability, and biocompatibility is the most difficult. Special attention is also paid to manufacturing simplicity and cost efficiency. Recent research trends indicate the high potential of polymers containing chemical groups with bioactive properties. They can have high antimicrobial activity and good performance characteristics and are often characterized by lower cytotoxicity than polymer composites containing low-molecular-weight and physically dispersed biocides. This Special Issue is to showcase research regarding preparing and characterizing novel monomers, polymers, and polymeric materials with antimicrobial properties. Detailed material characteristics in the context of potential applications and deeper discussions on structure–property relationships are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Izabela Barszczewska-Rybarek
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • antibacterial properties
  • antifungal properties
  • antiviral properties
  • cytotoxicity
  • polymers with quaternary ammonium groups
  • composites with antimicrobial nanoparticles
  • mechanical properties
  • physicochemical properties

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 18694 KiB  
Article
Development of Thyme-Infused Polydimethylsiloxane Composites for Enhanced Antibacterial Wound Dressings
by Sara Sarraj, Małgorzata Szymiczek, Anna Mertas, Agata Soluch, Dariusz Jędrejek and Sebastian Jurczyk
Materials 2024, 17(17), 4224; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174224 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 3176
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and flexibility but faces challenges due to its hydrophobicity and limited mechanical strength. This study explores the incorporation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) into PDMS to enhance its properties for [...] Read more.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and flexibility but faces challenges due to its hydrophobicity and limited mechanical strength. This study explores the incorporation of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) into PDMS to enhance its properties for wound dressing applications. PDMS composites containing 2.5 wt.% and 5 wt.% of thyme were prepared and evaluated for physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, absorption tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, hardness, tensile testing, antibacterial activity, and cell viability assays were conducted. Thyme integration improved mechanical properties with increased absorption and preserved hydrophobicity. FTIR and DSC analyses indicated minimally altered crystallinity and chemical interactions. Hardness decreased with higher thyme content due to terpene-induced polymerization inhibition. Tensile testing showed reduced stress at break but increased elongation, suitable for wound dressings. Enhanced antibacterial activity was observed, with composites meeting bacteriostatic standards. Cell viability exceeded 70%, with optimal results at 2.5 wt.% thyme, attributed to cytokine-inducing compounds. Thyme-incorporated PDMS composites exhibit improved antibacterial and mechanical properties, demonstrating the potential for advanced wound dressings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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15 pages, 5760 KiB  
Article
From Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Semi-Degradable Amphiphilic Miktoarm Polymers to Unique Degradation Properties
by Maria Kupczak, Anna Mielańczyk, Tomasz Fronczyk, Patryk Drejka, Przemyslaw Ledwon and Dorota Neugebauer
Materials 2024, 17(11), 2684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17112684 - 2 Jun 2024
Viewed by 608
Abstract
We report a one-pot synthesis of well-defined A5B and A8B miktoarm star-shaped polymers where N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and various cyclic esters such as ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), lactide (LA) and glycolide (GA) were used for the synthesis. Miktopolymers were obtained [...] Read more.
We report a one-pot synthesis of well-defined A5B and A8B miktoarm star-shaped polymers where N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and various cyclic esters such as ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), lactide (LA) and glycolide (GA) were used for the synthesis. Miktopolymers were obtained by simultaneously carrying out atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of DMAEMA, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters, and click reaction between the azide group in gluconamide-based (GLBr5-Az) or lactonamide-based (GLBr8-Az) ATRP initiators and 4-pentyn-1-ol. The relatively low dispersity indices of the obtained miktoarm stars (Đ = 1.2–1.6) indicate that control over the polymerization processes was sustained despite almost complete monomers conversions (83–99%). The presence of salts from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in polymer solutions affects the phase transition, increasing cloud point temperatures (TCP) values. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) values increased with a decreasing number of average molecular weights of the hydrophobic fraction. Hydrolytic degradation studies revealed that the highest reduction of molecular weight was observed for polymers with PCL and PLGCL arm. The influence of the composition on the miktopolymers hydrophilicity was investigated via water contact angle (WCA) measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) disclosed that the number of arms and their composition in the miktopolymer affects its weight loss under the influence of temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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21 pages, 10349 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Type of Soft Segment on the Selected Properties of Polyurethane Materials for Biomedical Applications
by Andrzej Puszka, Janusz W. Sikora and Aleksandra Nurzyńska
Materials 2024, 17(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040840 - 9 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1162
Abstract
This work presents the synthesis and characterization of new TPUs obtained by melt polyaddition using 1,1′-methanediylbis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane) (HMDI, Desmodur W®), a new unconventional chain extender, i.e., (methanediyldibenze-ne-4,1-diyl)dimethanediol, and five types of soft segments differing in structure and molar masses. The structure of [...] Read more.
This work presents the synthesis and characterization of new TPUs obtained by melt polyaddition using 1,1′-methanediylbis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane) (HMDI, Desmodur W®), a new unconventional chain extender, i.e., (methanediyldibenze-ne-4,1-diyl)dimethanediol, and five types of soft segments differing in structure and molar masses. The structure of the obtained polymers was determined (by using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods), and the physicochemical (reduced viscosity, density), optical (UV-VIS), processing (MFR) and thermal (DSC and TGA-FTIR) as well as surface, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties were determined. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that the type of soft segment used significantly affects the properties of the obtained polymers. The most favorable properties for use in medicine were demonstrated by materials based on a polycarbonate soft segment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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Review

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35 pages, 2178 KiB  
Review
Review of the Anti-Candida albicans Activity and Physical Properties of Soft Lining Materials Modified with Polyene Antibiotics, Azole Drugs, and Chlorohexidine Salts
by Izabela Barszczewska-Rybarek, Patrycja Kula and Grzegorz Chladek
Materials 2024, 17(21), 5383; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17215383 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 774
Abstract
This review examined the current state of knowledge on the modifications of commercial soft lining materials (SLMs) with a variety of antifungal compounds: (i) polyene antibiotics, including nystatin and amphotericin B, (ii) azole drugs, including fluconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole, and (iii) [...] Read more.
This review examined the current state of knowledge on the modifications of commercial soft lining materials (SLMs) with a variety of antifungal compounds: (i) polyene antibiotics, including nystatin and amphotericin B, (ii) azole drugs, including fluconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole, and (iii) antiseptics, including chlorhexidine salts to give them anti-Candida albicans properties. The effect of such modifications on the SLMs’ physical properties, such as drug release, water sorption, surface properties, bond strength, tensile strength, and hardness, was also analyzed. In effect, this study provided a unique compilation of research results obtained for numerous properties of SLM modified with antifungal compounds that differ in their chemical structure and mechanism of antifungal action. These results might also be useful for prosthetic dentistry, where SLMs are used to prevent and treat candidiasis, the most common disease among denture wearers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Antimicrobial Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications)
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