Colorful Room-Temperature Phosphorescent Chitosan-Based Nanomaterials for Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials play a crucial role in fields such as anticounterfeiting, bioimaging, and optoelectronics. Nevertheless, their application in antibacterial coatings remains scarce. Herein, we introduce a straightforward physical mixing approach to form nanomicelles. Amphiphilic molecular nanoengineered peptide-grafted hyperbranched polymers (NPGHPs) are employed to encapsulate organic phosphorescent molecules. By embedding these nanomicelles into the rigid matrix of chitosan (CS), the assembled material can easily achieve RTP emission. Both NPGHPs and CS can effectively kill bacteria, and CS exhibits excellent film-forming ability. The assembled material can be readily processed into antibacterial films with good breathability, thus expanding the application of RTP materials in the antibacterial field. The preparation of this antibacterial RTP material is simple, rapid, and versatile. The bulk material can be prepared in a short time, enabling its reliable application in anticounterfeiting, coatings, and antibacterial domains.