title: Poly(ethylene oxide) functionalized polyimide-based microporous films to prevent bacterial adhesion.
abstract: Preventing microbial adhesion onto membranes is a crucial issue that determines the durability of the membrane. In this Research Article, we prepared aromatic polyimides (extensively employed for the elaboration of ultrafiltration membranes) containing PEO branches. Four polyimide-g-PEO copolymers were prepared from 6F dianhydride and a novel aromatic diamine containing PEO-550 side groups. The copolymers were designed to have variable PEO content, and were characterized by their spectroscopic and physical properties. The Breath Figure technique was successfully applied to create an ordered surface topography, where the PEO chains were preferentially located on the surface of the micrometer size holes. These unique features were explored to reduce bacterial adhesion. It was established that surface modified polyimide membranes have a high resistance to biofouling against Staphylococcus aureus. In particular, we observed that an increase of the PEO the content in the copolymer produced a decrease in the bacterial adhesion.
authors.affiliation: †Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC), C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Aránzazu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Gómez
authors.affiliation: †Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC), C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.affiliation: †Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC), C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Abajo
authors.affiliation: ‡Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV-CSIC), C/Kelsen 5, 28049-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: del Campo
authors.affiliation: §Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), Cantoblanco, and CNB-CSIC-IMDEA Nanociencia Associated Unit "Unidad de Nanobiotecnología", 28049-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Aitziber L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cortajarena
authors.affiliation: †Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros (ICTP-CSIC), C/Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006-Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Hernandez
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007094:Imides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D061848:Optical Imaging; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016062:Porosity; D066244:Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007094:Imides; D010797:Phthalimides; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: Breath Figure; antifouling surfaces; bacterial adhesion; polyimide membranes; surface functionalization