3D-printed poly (lactic acid) scaffolds coated with cationic macro-biocide: Investigation of anti-biofilm activity and thermo-mechanical properties

  • Figen Aynali Department of Chemical Engineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
  • Gizem Urtekin Department of Chemical Engineering, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41380, Turkey
  • Levent Aydın Department of Podiatry, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli 41380, Turkey
  • Huseyin Balci Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
  • Metin Cetin Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli 41400, Turkey
  • Guralp Ozkoc Department of Chemistry, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
Article ID: 1400
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/mtr1400
Keywords: 3D printing; poly (lactic acid); quaternary ammonium salt; surface modification; biofilm activity

Abstract

In this study, the primary goal was to combine surface modification and 3D printing technology to create materials with anti-biofilm action. In order to achieve this, first a two-step reaction procedure using ring-opening copolymerization and copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction was used to successfully fabricate poly (lactic acid) (PLA) bearing quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) as an antimicrobial agent on its backbone at rates of 5% by mole. Then, this synthesized PLA-based (co)polymer dissolved in acetone with a weight percentage of 30% was used to coat 3D-printed PLA by dipping for 10, 30, and 90 s. These coated samples encoded PLA/10/PLA-QAS, PLA/30/PLA-QAS, and PLA/90/PLA-QAS, respectively. The coated PLA scaffolds were then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria were used to assess the anti-biofilm activity of the samples. In addition, the thermal and mechanical properties of the samples were examined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and three-point bending tests, respectively. Consequently, covering the 3D-printed PLA surfaces with synthesized antimicrobial polymer prevented the formation of biofilms against both bacteria, and all coated samples showed no toxicity in 25% and 10% extraction mediums. And, it was observed that the antimicrobial polymer solution had a plasticizing effect on the PLA scaffold. As the dipping times increased, the glass transition temperatures of the coated samples decreased. In terms of flexural behaviors, increasing the dipping time also improved the flexural strain of coated PLA scaffolds. These thermo-mechanical results are correlated with SEM morphologies because of the penetration and solution effect of antimicrobial polymer dissolved in acetone.

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Published
2025-03-03
How to Cite
Aynali, F., Urtekin, G., Aydın, L., Balci, H., Cetin, M., & Ozkoc, G. (2025). 3D-printed poly (lactic acid) scaffolds coated with cationic macro-biocide: Investigation of anti-biofilm activity and thermo-mechanical properties. Materials Technology Reports, 3(1), 1400. https://doi.org/10.59400/mtr1400
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2025)
Section
Article

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