Polyurethane coated with polyvinylpyrrolidones via triazole links for enhanced surface fouling resistance

Surfaces with hydrophilic and antimicrobial properties are very attractive for cardiovascular device-associated applications. The aim of this study was to prepare and coat a hydrophilic polymer containing a functional group capable of forming triazole functionality onto the surface of polyurethane (PU). The modified surfaces were assessed with cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and bacterial viability. Mouse fibroblast cells (NIH-3T3) and three bacterial species were used for assessment. The results showed that the modified surface not only exhibited a significant reduction in cell adhesion with a 25%–59% decrease to mouse fibroblast but also showed a significant reduction in bacterial attachment with 26%–67%, 24%–61% and 23%–57% decrease to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, as compared with original PU. Furthermore, the polymer-modified surface exhibited a significant antibacterial function by inhibiting bacterial growth with reduction of 49%–84%, 44%–79% and 53%–79% to S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, respectively, as compared with original PU. These results indicate that covalent polymer attachment enhanced the antibacterial and antifouling properties of the PU surface.