Abstract:
Wettability is reported to be one of the most important factors in bacterial attachment into the surface. Superhydrophobic surfaces show the lowest bacterial adhesion. In this paper, effect of an excimer laser irradiation at the ablation threshold fluence with different number of pulses on the wettability and antibacterial properties of polycarbonate samples was investigated. Sessile drop method and gram staining technique were used for water contact angle measurement and adhered bacteria identification respectively. Laser irradiation on the polycarbonate surface, cause intense changes in its wettability. High number of laser pulses at the ablation threshold fluence, followed by suitable hierarchical micro-nano structures fabrication on the surface, causes super water repellent surface fabrication. This fabricated surface shows superhydrophobicity and antibacterial properties and can be used in many applications such as medical devices, water and food industry. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy was used for investigating the morphology of the superhydrophobic fabricated polycarbonate and to ensure adhered bacteria rate of the superhydrophobic sample.
Keywords:
Antibacterial properties, Excimer laser, Polycarbonate, Superhydrophobicity, Wettability.
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