Biofilm resistant coatings have applications in healthcare, food packaging, and water purification. Presented here is a predictive methodology for the design of biofilm resistant UV-curable coatings. Several coatings are shown to provide biofilm resistance to various strains of bacteria, and this effect is explained by a study of the surface free energy (γs) of both the coatings and the biofilms involved.<br/>UV-curable coatings were synthesized from several halogenated, acrylic monomers at varying concentrations. Each of the coatings was directly exposed biofilm-generating bacteria in a custom biofilm reactor. Two standards, an unaltered, commercially available UV-curable coating and an uncoated internal standard, were subjected to the same conditions. Biofilm growth was qualitatively examined and compared to the standards. Analysis indicated that coatings containing brominated monomers enhance biofilm-resistance relative to both standards used.<br/>The effect of each coating on biofilm resistance is related to the surface free energy (γs) of the coating and the biofilm under consideration. The surface free energy was determined for each of the biofilms and coatings studied. A combinatorial approach which applied the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good equation and Cassie’s equation to contact angle data obtained from each surface was used. The surface free energy can be used to predict the resistance of UV-curable coatings to biofilm growth providing life scientists and surface scientists a quantitative, predictive methodology for the development of novel biofilm-resistant substrates.

Implementing surface-free energy analyses to predict inhibition of biofilm growth on UV-curable coatings

251st National Meeting (2016)

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