Dual-Functionality Fullerene and Silver Nanoparticle Antimicrobial Composites via Block Copolymer Templates

We present the facile prepartion of C-70 and Ag nanoparticle (NP) loaded block copolymer (BCP) thin films, with C-70 and Ag NPs working in tandem to provide virucidal and bactericidal activities, respectively. Polystyrene-block-poly-4-vinylpyridine (PS-P4VP) was used as a template, allowing C-70 integration into PS domains and in situ formation of Ag NPs in P4VP domains, while providing control of the nanoscale spatial distribution of functionality as a function of BCP molecular weight (MW). C-70 loaded PS-P4VP films were found to generate significant amounts of O-1(2) under visible light illumination with no apparent dependence on BCP MW. An analogous C-70 loaded PS homopolymer film produced notably less O-1(2), highlighting a possible critical role of morphology on C-70 photo activity. The antimicrobial activity of Ag NP and C-70 loaded composites against the model PR772 bacteriophage and Escherichia coli was assessed, finding synergistic inactivation afforded by the dual functionality. BCPs were demonstrated as versatile platforms for the preparation of multifunctional antimicrobial coatings toward combating diverse microbial communities.