Cellulose acetate nanoneedle array covered with phosphorylcholine moiety as a biocompatible and sustainable antifouling material

Extensive efforts have been devoted toward developing antibiofilm materials that can efficiently suppress bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation. However, many of the previous approaches are based on non-biocompatible, non-degradable, and environmentally harmful synthetic materials. Herein, we report an efficient and sustainable biofilm-resistant material that is made of a biocompatible, biodegradable, and naturally abundant cellulose derivate biopolymer. The biofilm-resistant material is made of cellulose acetate (CA) and possesses precisely defined nanoscale needle-like architectures on its surface. The CA nanoneedle array is further coated with a cell-membrane mimicking monomer of 2-methacryloryloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). Based on the synergetic integration of the bio- and environment-friendly polymers of CA and MPC into nanoscale topography, the nanostructured CA not only effectively prevents bacterial attachment but also simultaneously exhibits strong bactericidal effects against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This natural cellulose derivative-based nanostructured material has strong potential as a biocompatible, and eco-friendly antibiofilm material for versatile uses in biomedical and industrial applications. Graphic abstract