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

We present the facile prepartion of C70 and Ag nanoparticle (NP) loaded block copolymer (BCP) thin films, with C70 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 C70 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). C70 loaded PS-P4VP films were found to generate significant amounts of 1O2 under visible light illumination with no apparent dependence on BCP MW. An analogous C70 loaded PS homopolymer film produced notably less 1O2, highlighting a possible critical role of morphology on C70 photoactivity. The antimicrobial activity of Ag NP and C70 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.