Dynamically actuating nanospike composites as a bioinspired antibiofilm material

Abstract

Living creatures often adopt multiple strategies that utilize materials, structures, and dynamic motions to efficiently prevent surface fouling. However, previous synthetic antifouling materials are typically based on single strategies using materials, structures, or physical motions, which lead to limited antifouling performance. Here, we present a hybrid approach that integrates bacteria-killing nanostructures and bacteria-repelling dynamic surfaces in a multilayered responsive composite. The composite exhibited undulatory dynamic motions in response to an applied magnetic field. The dynamic surface motion of the composite can induce strong vortices near the composite surface and thus prevent bacterial attachment, while the nanospikes can physically damage the membrane of the attached cells. Accordingly, the proposed dynamic nanospike composite can suppress bacterial film formation for a prolonged period of 7 days without using toxic biocides or chemicals.