Highly Stable Hierarchically Structured All-Polymeric Lubricant-Infused Films Prevent Thrombosis and Repel Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

• Published in: ACS applied materials & interfaces 2022-12, Vol.14 (48), p.53535-53545
• Main Authors: Afonso, Elisabet, Bayat, Fereshteh, Ladouceur, Liane, Khan, Shadman, Martínez-Gómez, Aránzazu, Weitz, Jeffrey I., Hosseinidoust, Zeinab, Tiemblo, Pilar, García, Nuria, Didar, Tohid F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and Medical Applications of Materials and Interfaces
• ISSN: 1944-8244; 1944-8252
• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17309

Thrombus formation and infections caused by bacterial adhesion are the most common causes of failure in blood-contacting medical devices. Reducing the interaction of pathogens using repellent surfaces has proven to be a successful strategy in preventing device failure. However, designing scale-up methodologies to create large-scale repellent surfaces remains challenging. To address this need, we have created an all-polymeric lubricant-infused system using an industrially viable swelling-coagulation solvent (S-C) method. This induces hierarchically structured micro/nano features onto the surface, enabling improved lubricant infusion. Poly­(3,3,3-trifluoropropylmethylsiloxane) (PTFS) was used as the lubricant of choice, a previously unexplored omniphobic nonvolatile silicone oil. This resulted in all-polymeric liquid-infused surfaces that are transparent and flexible with long-term stability. Repellent properties have been demonstrated using human whole blood and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria matrices, with lubricated surfaces showing 93% reduction in blood stains and 96.7% reduction in bacterial adherence. The developed material has the potential to prevent blood and pathogenic contamination for a range biomedical devices within healthcare settings.