Despite the fact that surface functionalization with graphene oxide (GO) is effective in bacterial inactivation, the modification of interfacial properties due to the GO coating may in fact increase the bioadhesion (and biofouling) propensity of a substrate [1]. GO is biocidal; is it also anti-adhesive? This work addresses this question using AFM-based single-cell force spectroscopy, a technique that enables direct measuement of bacterial adhesion forces. We show that coatings displaying low-bioadhesion properties can be formed by binding GO nanosheets to a hydrophilic polymer brush [2]. Our work indicates that the underlying polymer layer enables a brush-like GO coating, which mitigates bacterial adhesion through steric repulsive forces. Conformational disorder (afforded by the polymer brush) is thus an important design variable for environmental interfaces (such as sorbents and membranes) seeking to exploit the antimicrobial properties of GO.

Do graphene oxide nanostructured coatings mitigate bacterial adhesion?

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.