title: Surface antibacterial characteristics of plasma-modified polyethylene.
abstract: The antibacterial characteristics of triclosan- or bronopol-coated and plasma-modified polyethylene (PE) are investigated. The modified PE samples exhibit excellent bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus even when the bacteria concentration in the suspension is 10(6) colony forming units (CFU)/mL. However, when the concentration exceeds 10(8) CFU/mL, the materials fail to develop noticeable resistance to large amount of bacteria because of the formation of a bacterial biofilm on their surfaces. The PE treated by this relatively simple technique possesses excellent antimicrobial properties and is useful in biomedical and disinfection applications because the bacteria concentrations in most situations are well below 10(6) CFU/mL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics & Materials Science,City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Junhui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Yihe
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuk Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018441:Biofilms; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020959:Polyethylene