Fabrication of microspore-structured replica-mediated silicone polymers for inhibition of cellular adhesion and biofilm formation

Abstract

Biofilm formation on surfaces involves initial microbial attachment, leading to subsequent colonization and development of a structured community. Soft lithography with its precision in micro- and nanoscale patterning offers a versatile platform for surface modification hindering microbial adhesion and biofilm development. It opens novel applications in antibiofilm properties and self-cleaning engineered surfaces. The silicone-based organic polymer is widely used in soft lithography because of its biocompatibility, low toxicity, and mechanical flexibility. Moreover, the high WCA (110°) and its low surface energy (18.77 ± 0.05 mJ/m²) make the silicone polymer play a vital role in surface modification. Further, the polymer was characterized using ATR-FTIR and TGA to study its functional properties and its thermal stability. This study focuses on the replication of the hydrophobic surface of Gore-Tex fabric using a silicone-modified polymer as a mimic substrate, followed by investigating the biofilm attachment studies on the replicated surface. To assess the biofilm attachment studies on the negative replica, the surface is exposed for adhesion studies, and comparative studies are conducted between the replica and a control surface to assess the extent of biofilm adhesion. This research contributes valuable insights into the potential of silicone-modified polymers in mitigating biofilm-related challenges.