Deposition of Graphene-based Nanoflakes on Polymer Substrates for Scalable Production of Antibacterial Medical Devices

Abstract

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are a worldwide problem that is usually solved with antibiotics, leading to an increased risk of antibiotic resistance which is a global threat. A way of decreasing the prescription of antibiotics is reducing the risk of infections by mechanically killing the bacteria or inhibiting its ability to attach and create a biofilm on the surface of a catheter. This may be achieved with sharp vertically aligned graphene-based nanoflakes on the polymeric surface. The aim of the study was to identify a robust and effective method for a homogeneous deposition of graphene-based nanoflakes onto a polymeric surface for scalable production. To explore materials and methods a screening process was done before creating the final samples. The samples were made using plasma and flame treatments in combination with drop casting and dip coating methods. Surface characterization of the samples was performed with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results showed that a homogeneous coating in combination with laser treatment can achieve vertically aligned nanoflakes structure with different densities depending on the amount of deposited graphene-based nanoflakes.