Biocidal polymer derived near white light‐emitting polymeric carbon particles for antibacterial and bioimaging applications

A growing antimicrobial crisis has increased demand for antimicrobial materials. It has become increasingly popular to convert polymeric macromolecules into polymeric carbon particles (PCP) in order to achieve highly biocompatible materials with unique properties as a result of the ability to synthesize nanomaterials of the right size and add value to existing stable polymers. This work presents the tuning of PCP for antibacterial application by combining a biocidal polymer with one‐pot solvothermal synthesis. PCP displayed broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity via various mechanisms, including inhibition of bacterial cell walls, ROS generation, and antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, these biocidal PCP were observed to show excitation‐independent near‐white light emission which on the other hand is generally possible due to mixed sizes, doping, and surface effects. As opposed to the parent biocidal polymer, PCP added ROS‐mediated bactericidal activity, increased cytocompatibility, and nanofibers with anti‐adhesive effects and potential of imaging bacterial cells. As a result of mixed sizes, doping, and surface effects, carbon dots (CD) exhibit an excitation‐dependent photoluminescence, restricting them to specific applications. The present work created white light‐emitting polymeric carbon particles (PCP) from a biocidal polymer and solvothermal synthesis, which were not only antibacterial but also showed greater biocompatibility and excitation independence. Electrospun nanofibers generated from composite polymers of PCP and PMMA were then used to fabricate antibacterial and bioimaging surfaces.