Rapid removal of polyacrylamide from wastewater by plasma in the gas-liquid interface.

Due to the severe restrictions imposed by legislative frameworks, the removal of polyacrylamide (PAM) rapidly and effectively from produced wastewater in offshore oilfields before discharge is becoming an urgent challenge. In this study, a novel advanced oxidation process based on plasma operated in the gas-liquid interface was used to rapidly decompose PAM, and multiple methods including viscometry, flow field-flow fractionation multi-angle light scattering, UV-visible spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the changes of PAM. Under a discharge voltage of 25 kV and pH 7.0, the PAM concentration decreased from 100 to 0 mg/L within 20 min and the total organic carbon (TOC) decreased from 49.57 to 1.23 mg/L within 240 min, following zero-order reaction kinetics. Even in the presence of background TOC as high as 152.2 mg/L, complete removal of PAM (100 mg/L) was also achieved within 30 min. The biodegradability of PAM improved following plasma treatment for 120 min. Active species (such as O3 and H2O2) were produced in the plasma. Hydroxyl radical was demonstrated to play an important role in the degradation of PAM due to the inhibitory effect observed after the addition of an ·OH scavenger, Na2CO3. Meanwhile, the release of ammonia and nitrate nitrogen confirmed the cleavage of the acylamino group. The results of this study demonstrated that plasma, with its high efficiency and chemical-free features, is a promising technology for the rapid removal of PAM.

Adsorption performance of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) by aminated solution-blown polyacrylonitrile micro/nanofibers.

In this work, we prepared amidoxime-functionalized polyacrylonitrile (APAN) micro/nanofibers by modifying solution-blown PAN fibers with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and investigated the adsorption performance of the APAN fibers for Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments and quantitative analysis were conducted considering initial pH and contact time as controlling parameters. The equilibrium data were better explained by the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacities of 185, 204, 105, 104, 345 and 91 mg/g for Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), respectively. The adsorption kinetics were found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the adsorption of metal ions onto APAN fibers is feasible, spontaneous and endothermic. The five adsorption-desorption cycle experiments showed that APAN micro/nanofiber adsorbent exhibits good reusability, and has a potential application for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.

Effect of PVP content and polymer concentration on polyetherimide (PEI) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based ultrafiltration membrane fabrication and characterization.

In this study, four different membranes were fabricated by using polyetherimide and polyacrylonitrile polymers, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via phase inversion method to improve the membrane performance in fruit juice wastewater (FJWW) treatment. The addition of PVP to the casting solution increased membrane hydrophilicity, water content, contact angle, porosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks, membrane thickness, average roughness and viscosity of cast solutions compared to the bare membrane. It can be said that the addition of a lower polymer concentration and PVP intensively increases the pure water flux of the membrane. However, as the flux increased, a small decrease in FJWW rejection was observed.

Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions using waste textiles/poly(acrylic acid) composite synthesized by radical polymerization technique.

Waste textiles (WTs) are the inevitable outcome of human activity and should be separated and recycled in view of sustainable development. In this work, WT was modified through grafting with acrylic acid (AA) via radical polymerization process using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator and microwave and/or UV irradiation as energy supply. The acrylic acid-grafted waste textiles (WT-g-AA) thus obtained was then used as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II) from Pb(II)-containing wastewater. The effects of pH, initial concentrations of Pb(II) and adsorbent dose were investigated, and around 95% Pb(II) can be removed from the aqueous solution containing 10mg/L at pH6.0-8.0. The experimental adsorption isotherm data was fitted to the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 35.7mg Pb/g WT-g-AA. The Pb-absorbed WT-g-AA was stripped using dilute nitric acid solution and the adsorption capacity of Pb-free material decreased from 95.4% (cycle 1) to 91.1% (cycle 3). It was considered that the WT-g-AA adsorption for Pb(II) may be realized through the ion-exchange mechanism between COOH and Pb(II). The promising results manifested that WT-g-AA powder was an efficient, eco-friendly and reusable adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater.

Development of Eudragit RS 100 Microparticles Loaded with Ropinirole: Optimization and In Vitro Evaluation Studies.

The current study aimed to develop novel pH independent microparticles loaded with ropinirole (ROP) for sustained drug release. Eudragit RS 100 was used as release retardant and microparticles were fabricated by oil-in-oil emulsion solvent evaporation method. A three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design using Design-Expert software was employed to optimize formulation variables. Ropinirole loaded microparticles were evaluated with respect to morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release profile. Optical microscopy and SEM micrographs indicated spherical shape with smooth surface and well-defined boundary. The particle size was in the range of 98.86 to 236.29 µm, being significantly increased with increasing polymer concentration. Higher polymer load also increased the thickness of internal polymer network, which led to reduced drug loss and higher entrapment efficiency (89%). The cumulative in vitro release was found to be in the range of 54.96 to 99.36% during the release studies (12 h) following zero order release kinetics and non-Fickian diffusion pattern. The developed microparticles have the potential to sustain the release of ropinirole, which may lead to a reduction in its adverse effects and improved management of Parkinson's disease.

Nitric oxide assisted C60 secondary ion mass spectrometry for molecular depth profiling of polyelectrolyte multilayers.

RATIONALE: Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) with polyatomic primary ions provides a successful tool for molecular depth profiling of polymer systems, relevant in many technological applications. Widespread C60 sources, however, cause in some polymers extensive damage with loss of molecular information along depth. We study a method, based on the use of a radical scavenger, for inhibiting ion-beam-induced reactions causing sample damage. METHODS: Layered polystyrene sulfonate and polyacrylic acid based polyelectrolyte films, behaving differently towards C60 beam-induced damage, were selected and prepared as model systems. They were depth profiled by means of time-of-flight (TOF)-SIMS in dual beam mode, using fullerene ions for sputtering. Nitric oxide was introduced into the analysis chamber as a radical scavenger. The effect of sample cooling combined with NO-dosing on the quality of depth profiles was explored. RESULTS: NO-dosing during C60-SIMS depth profiling of >1 micrometer-thick multilayered polyelectrolytes allows detection, along depth, of characteristic fragments from systems otherwise damaged by C60 bombardment, and increases sputtering yield by more than one order of magnitude. By contrast, NO has little influence on those layers that are well profiled with C60 alone. Such leveling effect, more pronounced at low temperature, leads to a dramatic improvement of profile quality, with a clear definition of interfaces. CONCLUSIONS: NO-dosing provides a tool for extending the applicability, in SIMS depth profiling, of the widely spread fullerene ion sources. In view of the acceptable erosion rates on inorganics, obtainable with C60, the method could be of relevance also in connection with the 3D-imaging of hybrid polymer/inorganic systems.

EPR Study of Backbiting in the Aqueous-Solution Polymerization of Acrylamide.

Via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, the type of radicals occurring during acrylamide (AAm) homopolymerization in aqueous solution is investigated between -5 and +100 °C. The radicals are produced photochemically under stationary conditions. Midchain AAm radicals (MCRs) are clearly identified by EPR which demonstrates that secondary propagating AAm radicals (SPRs) undergo backbiting reactions. Above 50 °C, the fraction of MCRs even exceeds the one of SPRs. The extent of backbiting is however well below the one in butyl acrylate polymerization at identical temperature.

Magnesium Contamination in Soil at a Magnesite Mining Region of Liaoning Province, China.

Magnesite is the world's most important source material for magnesia refractory production, and Haicheng City in Liaoning Province, China has been called "the magnesium capital of the world." However, magnesite mining in these areas has caused serious environmental problems. Field investigations have shown that the soil profile of many sites in the mining region are contaminated by magnesium, and the magnesium-enriched crusts that have formed on the soil surface have affected ecologically important soil functions, particularly reduced water penetration rate. Laboratory experiment revealed that anionic polyacrylamide and calcium dihydrogen phosphate can be used to improve soil condition, and have positive effects on soil function. The findings of this study are of significance in the magnetite mining areas, providing clear options for the remediation of soils that should be carried out immediately.

Flexural strengths of conventional and nanofilled fiber-reinforced composites: a three-point bending test.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the introduction of nanofillers on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) for stabilization and conservative treatment of multiple traumatized anterior teeth. In particular, the aim of the research was to point out the force levels of two sizes (diameters 0.6 and 0.9 mm) of both conventional and nanofilled FRCs. METHODS: Eighty FRCs samples were divided into eight groups, each consisting of 10 specimens. Conventional (groups 1, 2, 3, and 4) and nanofilled (groups 5, 6, 7, and 8) FRC samples were evaluated. Each FRC was tested in two diameters (0.6 and 0.9 mm) and under two deflections (1 and 2 mm). Each sample was polymerized with the same halogen curing unit and then evaluated with a 3-point bending test on a universal testing machine after 48 h of dry storage. RESULTS: Nanofilled FRCs showed significantly higher load values than conventional FRCs. Moreover, 0.9-mm-diameter FRCs showed significantly higher load value than 0.6-mm-diameter FRCs. Specimens tested at 2-mm deflection showed significantly higher load values than those tested at 1-mm deflection. CONCLUSIONS: Nanofilled FRCs showed significantly higher load values than conventional FRCs. Higher flexural strength values were recorded with 1-mm deflection for both FRC tested.

[On the issue of the safety of reagents used for water treatment and purification].

There was shown the actuality of the problem of the safety of reagents used for water treatment. There have been analyzed several composite reagents used in Russia in the Practice of Water-Supplying Treatment. In technical specifications for these reagents, there was no information on the origin, composition and properties of modifying additives 'M', the synthetic polyelectrolytes level (%). Up to date, there are no available analytical methods permitting to determine reliably the content of polymers and monomers at the levels actually present in water after application of synthetic polyelectrolytes. It is necessary to strengthen the control over the use of synthetic polyelectrolytes in water-supplying practice.

The effect of surface colour on the formation of marine micro and macrofouling communities.

The effect of substratum colour on the formation of micro- and macro fouling communities was investigated. Acrylic tiles, painted either black or white were covered with transparent sheets in order to ensure similar surface properties. All substrata were exposed to biofouling at 1 m depth for 40 d in the Marina Bandar al Rowdha (Muscat, Sea of Oman). Studies were conducted in 2010 over a time course of 5, 10 and 20 d, and in 2012 samples were collected at 7, 14 and 21 d. The densities of bacteria on the black and white substrata were similar with the exception of day 10, when the black substrata had a higher abundance than white ones. Pyrosequencing via 454 of 16S rRNA genes of bacteria from white and black substrata revealed that Alphaproteobacteria and Firmicutes were the dominant groups. SIMPER analysis demonstrated that bacterial phylotypes (uncultured Gammaproteobacteria, Actibacter, Gaetbulicola, Thalassobius and Silicibacter) and the diatoms (Navicula directa, Navicula sp. and Nitzschia sp.) contributed to the dissimilarities between communities developed on white and black substrata. At day 20, the highest amount of chlorophyll a was recorded in biofilms developed on black substrata. SIMPER analysis showed that Folliculina sp., Ulva sp. and Balanus amphitrite were the major macro fouling species that contributed to the dissimilarities between the communities formed on white and black substrata. Higher densities of these species were observed on black tiles. The results emphasise the effect of substratum colour on the formation of micro and macro fouling communities; substratum colour should to be taken into account in future studies.

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of residual monomer released from heat-cured acrylic resin. An in vivo study.

PURPOSE: Heat-polymerized acrylic resins are used in dentistry for complete denture fabrication. Despite the polymerization method, conversion of monomer into polymer is often incomplete with free or unreacted residual monomer remaining in the polymerized resin. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of residual monomeric methyl methacrylate (MMA) leaching in the saliva of patients wearing complete dentures in their postinsertion period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty edentulous participants as first-time complete denture wearers (age 60 to 65 years) were selected. All the prostheses were fabricated using a similar standard technique with a heat-cured acrylic resin denture base material. Saliva samples were collected at time intervals of 1 hour, 1 day, and 3 days postdenture insertion. Participants were asked to discharge saliva every 30 seconds into a pre-weighed screw-capped container for a 5-minute period. MMA levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey-HSD. RESULTS: The maximum concentration of monomer released into saliva peaked 1 day after insertion of the complete dentures. The mean (SD) MMA content was 0.04 ± 0.01 (µg/ml) 1 hour after insertion, and 0.3 ± 0.09 (µg/ml), and 0.05 ± 0.01 (µg/ml) on the first and third days postinsertion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the released monomeric MMA was not at toxic levels, it could potentially sensitize complete denture patients or elicit an allergic reaction. The risk of the residual material as a primary irritant for a sensitizing reaction could be minimized by immersion of the denture in water for 24 hours before insertion.

Mimicking the growth of a pathologic biomineral: shape development and structures of calcium oxalate dihydrate in the presence of polyacrylic acid.

The morphogenesis of calcium oxalate hydrates in aqueous solutions was investigated by varying the pH, oxalate concentration, and the concentration of the sodium salt of polyacrylate (PAA). With increasing amounts of PAA in solution, the shape of tetragonal calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) changes from bipyramidal through elongated bipyramidal prisms to dumbbells and finally reverts to rodlike tetragonal bipyramidal prisms. PAA is incorporated into the prismatic zones of the growing COD crystals, thereby reducing the growth rate of the {100} faces along the <100> direction. Dumbbells start to develop through "non-crystallographic" branching from the prism faces and the formation of "multiple head" crystals. Adsorption of PAA on the rough surfaces of the splitting individuals supports the selection of new subindividuals and leads to the formation of core-shell patterns. The various shapes and structures of the biomimetic COD/PAA crystals and aggregates are closely related to the well-known "pathologic" individuals observed in the urine of patients with urinary disease (including urinary stones).

Investigation of the performance of cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid) as efficient adsorbents in SPE columns for simultaneous preconcentration of tricyclic antidepressants in water samples.

A solid phase extraction-based (SPE) procedure for simultaneous preconcentration of five tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT), nortriptyline hydrochloride (NOR), doxepin hydrochloride (DOX), imipramine hydrochloride (IMI), and clomipramine hydrochloride (CLO) from water samples with determination by HPLC-DAD is proposed. Polymers were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, and thermogravimetric analysis. SPE-based methods were carried out by the preconcentration of 320.0 mL of TCAs at pH 7.0 (buffered with 0.01 mol L-1 phosphate buffer) through 70.0 mg of adsorbent packed into a SPE cartridge, followed by elution with 1.0 mL of ACN : MeOH : acetic acid solution (45 : 45 : 10% v/v). Higher preconcentration factors were obtained ranging from 117.9 to 372.2 and 207.1 to 396.1 by using poly(MAA-co-EGDMA) and poly(AA-co-EGDMA), respectively, yielding lower limits of detection (0.03 to 0.12 µg L-1) and (0.03 to 0.15 µg L-1). These outcomes show satisfactory detectability of SPE-based methods, with slightly better performance using poly(MAA-co-EGDMA). On the other hand, poly(AA-co-EGDMA) was able to preconcentrate TCAs in the presence of humic acid (7.0 mg L-1) without interference. The precision of methods assessed as RSD (%) was very similar, ranging from 1.7% to 16.3% for poly(MAA-co-EGDMA) and 1.7% to 13.4% for poly(AA-co-EGDMA). SPE cartridges packed with the polymers showed high reusability (52 cycles of preconcentration and elution) without losing adsorption efficiency. The methods were applied to determine TCAs in tap, lake, and stream water samples and the accuracy was attested by addition and recovery tests (86.7-116.0%), with determined nortriptyline ranging from 0.48 to 0.52 µg L-1 in lake water samples.

Measurement of respirable superabsorbent polyacrylate (SAP) dust by ethanol derivatization using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detection.

Superabsorbent polyacrylate (SAP) is an important industrial chemical manufactured primarily as sodium polyacrylate but occasionally as potassium salt. It has many applications owing to its intrinsic physical property of very high water absorption, which can be more than 100 times it own weight. SAP is commonly used in disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products and is known by a number of synonyms-sodium polyacrylate, superabsorbent polyacrylate (SAP), polyacrylate absorbent (PA), and superabsorbent material (SAM). Germany and The Netherlands have adopted a nonbinding scientific guideline value 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hr time-weighted average, TWA) as the maximum allowable workplace concentration for the respirable dust of SAP (<10 µm particle diameter). Three industry associations representing Europe, the United States, and Asia have adopted the German scientific guideline value of 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hr TWA) as a voluntary guideline. A new test method based on alcohol derivatization of the acrylate was developed and validated for the analysis of respirable superabsorbent polyacrylate dust collected on filter cassettes in the workplace environment. This method is an alternative to the commonly used sodium-based method, which is limited owing to potential interference by other sources of sodium from the workplace and laboratory environments. The alcohol derivatization method effectively eliminates sodium interference from several classes of sodium compounds, as shown by their purposeful introduction at two and six times the equivalent amount of SAP present in reference samples. The accuracy of the method, as determined by comparison with sodium analysis of known reference samples, was greater than 80% over the study range of 5-50 µg of SAP dust. The lower reporting limit of the method is 3.0 µg of SAP per sample, which is equivalent to 3 (µg/m³) for an 8-hr sampling period at the recommended flow rate of 2.2 L/min.

Screening for extractables in additive-manufactured acrylonitrile butadiene styrene orthopedic cast.

The use of additive-manufactured components in medical applications, specifically medical devices (e.g., orthopedic casts), has increased in recent years. Such devices may be fabricated at the point of care using consumer-grade additive manufacturing. Limited studies have been conducted to evaluate the extractable substances of these devices. Chemical characterization followed by toxicological risk assessment is one means of evaluating safety of devices. This study was designed to determine the extractables profile of additive-manufactured materials according to filament grade and post-processing method. Feedstocks for additive manufacturing were tested as filament and manufactured casts, while the cast from consumer-grade filament (CGF) was post-processed. Samples were extracted using three solvents of varying polarities. Extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques. In GC/MS analysis, isopropanol extracts generated fewer compound identifications for USP Class VI filament (USPF)-based casts (3) compared with the respective filament (17) while hexane generated the most compound identifications for the finished cast manufactured from CGF. CGF was found to have the highest number of nonvolatile extractables for isopropanol (15) and hexane (34) by positive ion LC/MS. Additionally, CGF produced more non-polar extractables in hexane than the USPF. A known polymer byproduct and potential genotoxicant, styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) trimer, was one of the compounds identified in both GC/MS and LC/MS at quantities ranging from 19 to 270 µg g-1. Overall these results suggested that the extractables profile was affected by the filament material, printing procedure, and post-processing method.

Embedded 3D Bioprinting of Gelatin Methacryloyl-Based Constructs with Highly Tunable Structural Fidelity.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of hydrogel-based constructs at adequate consistency and reproducibility can be obtained through a compromise between the hydrogel's inherent instability and printing fidelity. There is an increasing demand to develop bioprinting modalities that enable high-fidelity fabrication of 3D hydrogel structures that closely correspond to the envisioned design. In this work, we performed a systematic, in-depth characterization and optimization of embedded 3D bioprinting to create 3D gelatin-methacryloyl (gelMA) structures with highly controlled fidelity using Carbopol as suspension bath. The role of various embedded printing process parameters in bioprinting fidelity was investigated using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. We examined the effect of rheological properties of gelMA and Carbopol at varying concentrations, as well as printing conditions on the volumetric flow rate of gelMA bioink. Printing speed was examined and optimized to successfully print gelMA into the support bath at varying Carbopol concentrations. Printing fidelity was characterized in terms of printed strand diameter, uniformity, angle, and area. The optimal Carbopol solution that retained filament shape at highest fidelity was determined. The efficacy of developed bioprinting approach was then demonstrated by fabricating 3D hydrogel constructs with varying geometries and visualized using an advanced synchrotron-based imaging technique. We also investigated the influence of the Carbopol medium on cross-linking and the resulting stiffness of gelMA constructs. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity of the developed bioprinting approach was assessed by printing human umbilical vein endothelial cells encapsulated in the gelMA bioink. These results demonstrate the significance of the close interplay between bioink-support bath rheology and printing parameters and help to establish an optimized workflow for creating 3D hydrogel structures with high fidelity and cytocompatibility via embedded bioprinting techniques. This robust platform could further expand the application of bioprinted soft tissue constructs in a wide variety of biomedical applications.

Laboratory Study of Color Stability of Different Types of Materials for Temporary Constructions.

INTRODUCTION: A temporary construction serves as a preliminary representation of the type and appearance of a future permanent one that is tailored to the patient's requirements. Like any prosthetic construction, it should meet the functional requirements, preserve or improve chewing and speech function. No matter how well maintained a prophylactic and functional prosthetic structure is, it will not be evaluated by the patient unless it retains and restores the existing shape, size and color of the natural teeth. AIM: To determine instrumentally to what extent different colorants change the color of temporary constructions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two materials for temporary restoration were tested - Protemp II and Protemp IV, of which a total of 100 test specimens, were fabricated. Under the equal storage conditions of room temperature and no direct access to sunlight, they were exposed to five 100-ml staining solutions: Coca-Cola, coffee (espresso), berry tea, orange juice and red wine in five separate containers. Measurements of color changes in the three areas of the tooth were performed using two spectrophotometric devices - Vita EasyShade and SpectroShade, at different time intervals - immediately before placement in the staining solution, at 1, 4, 7, and 14 days. RESULTS: The results were analysed using the SPSS Statistical Processing Program (SPSS Inc., IBM SPSS Statistics) version 21.0. They were converted to a text file with the converter of the same program. In hypothesis testing, a standard value of p ≤ 0.05 was chosen for the level of significance that rejects the null hypothesis. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, the strong colouring effect of coffee and red wine on these restorations was demonstrated. We can conclude that Protemp IV material showed better color stability compared to Protemp II.

Biodegradation of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide by a Bacillus megaterium strain SZK-5: Functional enzymes and antioxidant defense mechanism.

Hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) is the most widely used water-soluble linear polymer with high molecular weight in polymer flooding. Microbiological degradation is an environment-friendly and effective method of treating HPAM-containing oilfield produced water. In this study, a strain SZK-5 that could degrade HPAM was isolated from soil contaminated by oilfield produced water. Based on morphological, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence homology analysis, the strain was identified as Bacillus megaterium. The biodegradation capability of strain SZK-5 was determined by incubation in a mineral salt medium (MSM) containing HPAM under different environmental conditions, showing 55.93% of the HPAM removed after 7 d of incubation under the optimum conditions ((NH4)2SO4 = 1667.9 mg L-1, temperature = 24.05 °C and pH = 8.19). Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and urease (URE) played significant roles in biological carbon and nitrogen removal, respectively. The strain SZK-5 could resist the damages caused by oxidative stress given by crude oil and HPAM. To our knowledge, this is the first report about the biodegradation of HPAM by B. megaterium. These results suggest that strain SZK-5 might be a new auxiliary microbiological resource for the biodegradation of HPAM residue in wastewater and soil.

Polyacrylamide brush coatings preventing microbial adhesion to silicone rubber.

Silicone rubber is a frequently used biomaterial in biomedical devices and implants, yet highly prone to microbial adhesion and the development of a biomaterial-centered infection. Effective coating of silicone rubber to discourage microbial adhesion has thus far been impossible due to the hydrophobic character of its surface, surface deterioration upon treatment and instability of coatings under physiological conditions. Here we present a method to successfully grow polyacrylamide (PAAm) brushes from silicone rubber surfaces after removal of low molecular weight organic molecules (LMWOM), such as silane oligomers. PAAm brush coating did not cause any surface deterioration and discouraged microbial adhesion, even after 1-month exposure to physiological fluids. The method presented opens many new avenues for the use of silicone rubber as a biomaterial, without the risk of developing a biomaterial-centered infection.