Antibacterial efficacy and cytotoxicity of silver-nanoparticle–based coatings facilitated by a plasma deposited polymer interlayer

Antibacterial coatings have been accepted as a potent solution to the problem of medical-device–associated infections, which affect millions of patients worldwide. In this work, we present silver-nanoparticle–based antibacterial coatings that are highly potent against medically relevant bacteria such as S. epidermidis and S. aureus but do not have apparent cytotoxicity to primary human fibroblast cells. The silver nanoparticles used in the coatings are synthesized in the presence of trisodium citrate. At a given moment, 2-mercaptosuccinc acid is added to allow for reduction of nanoparticle size and to provide the well-defined surface architecture necessary for controllable surface immobilization. Important for application, the technology is facilitated by a functional-plasma–deposited polymer interlayer. This makes it applicable to the surface of medical devices manufactured from any type of material.