Modification of Antibacterial Superhydrophilic Surfaces to Enhance Their Resistance to Contamination with Fibers during Sanitation Procedures

Abstract

Superhydrophilic copper surfaces with hierarchical textures have exhibited a high efficiency in fighting against nosocomial infections. However, one of the key drawbacks of these surfaces is their high susceptibility to mechanical contamination with fibrous materials in the course of sanitation procedures. This study has proposed a method for a laser modification enhancing the resistance of superhydrophilic copper surfaces to fiber contamination during their sanitary treatment. The modified surfaces retain their superhydrophilicity and exhibit superhydrophobic properties after the application of a hydrophobic agent. Moreover, the proposed modification method improves the resistance of a hierarchical texture to abrasive wear while remaining preserved high bactericidal properties. The results obtained have suggested that these modified textured copper materials can be used as bactericidal contact surfaces to combat nosocomial infections in medical facilities.