Embossed sub-micron DLIP and LIPSS textures on polypropylene delay surface colonization of Staphylococcus aureus

The increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics is prompting research into new approaches to design bacterial repellent surfaces. This work investigated the hot embossing of sub-micron direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) and laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) textures from stainless steel onto polypropylene samples to achieve bacterial repellent properties. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were adhered to the textured surfaces, and adhered bacterial counts were compared to untextured polypropylene using colony-forming unit and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Both DLIP and LIPSS textures, with a periodicity of around 700 nm, significantly reduced bacterial colonization compared to untextured samples. These findings highlight the potential of DLIP and LIPSS textures as effective strategies for developing antimicrobial polymer materials.