Surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of bactericidal polymer brushes on poly(lactic acid) surfaces

We have modified the surface of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by bromination in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) under UV irradiation. This new approach to impart functionality to the surface does not effect the bulk of the material. Brominated PLA surfaces served as initiators for atom-transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium methacrylate (QMA). Grafting of poly(QMA) brushes rendered PLA films hydrophilic and these films displayed a three-order of magnitude increase in antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli as compared to unmodified PLA. The two-step strategy described here to modify PLA surface represents a useful route to modified PLA materials for biomedical and antimicrobial packaging applications.