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Multifunctional Polymeric Antibacterial Materials: Strategies against Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Biofilms

Zhang, Qicheng LU (2025)
Abstract
Pathogenic bacterial infections lead to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation, causing significant suffering and presenting an urgent issue to be addressed. Polymer materials have garnered considerable attention in the antibacterial field due to their functional moldability and molecular structure designability. These materials can achieve various antibacterial functions by regulating their monomer composition to avoid resistance issues and remove stubborn biofilms. Additionally, they can acquire functions such as bacterial recognition, hemostasis, and imaging through modification or regulation of the polymer structure. Polymer materials also possess broad-spectrum antibacterial effects and low toxicity, making them ideal... (More)
Pathogenic bacterial infections lead to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation, causing significant suffering and presenting an urgent issue to be addressed. Polymer materials have garnered considerable attention in the antibacterial field due to their functional moldability and molecular structure designability. These materials can achieve various antibacterial functions by regulating their monomer composition to avoid resistance issues and remove stubborn biofilms. Additionally, they can acquire functions such as bacterial recognition, hemostasis, and imaging through modification or regulation of the polymer structure. Polymer materials also possess broad-spectrum antibacterial effects and low toxicity, making them ideal antibacterial agents.
In this thesis, we synthesized four different types of functional antibacterial polymer materials and explored their capabilities in various antibacterial scenarios. Firstly, a photothermal antibacterial polymer with molecularly imprinted sites was synthesized for targeted photothermal antibacterial action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Building on the excellent antibacterial effect of photothermal therapy, a photothermal conjugated polymer was further utilized and combined with chitosan-based cryogel for potential wound hemostasis and bacterial infection treatment. Additionally, photothermal antibacterial therapy was enhanced using molecularly imprinted polymers to improve the photothermal and fluorescence imaging capabilities of aggregation-induced emission molecules for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, a polymer brush with quaternary ammonium salt and Cu-doped quantum dots was employed for bacterial binding, imaging, and synergistic antibacterial action.
In summary, this thesis presents a series of polymer materials designed to address issues such as drug resistance and biofilms caused by bacterial infections. Different techniques such as molecular imprinting, borate affinity, and photothermal antibacterial methods have been employed to meet complex antibacterial requirements. We hope these efforts provide meaningful references and support for the further application and development of polymer materials in antibacterial applications.
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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Dr. Yoshikawa, Chiaki, National Institute for materials Science, Japan.
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Polymers, molecular imprinting technology, antibacterial, drug-resistant, biofilm
publisher
Department of Chemistry, Lund University
defense location
Lecture Hall KC:B, Kemicentrum, Naturvetarvägen 22, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund.
defense date
2025-11-21 09:00:00
ISBN
978-91-8096-114-1
978-91-8096-115-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
930004fe-1652-4837-a2a7-30102a92f9e8
date added to LUP
2025-10-22 16:57:39
date last changed
2025-10-28 10:03:14
@phdthesis{930004fe-1652-4837-a2a7-30102a92f9e8,
  abstract     = {{Pathogenic bacterial infections lead to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation, causing significant suffering and presenting an urgent issue to be addressed. Polymer materials have garnered considerable attention in the antibacterial field due to their functional moldability and molecular structure designability. These materials can achieve various antibacterial functions by regulating their monomer composition to avoid resistance issues and remove stubborn biofilms. Additionally, they can acquire functions such as bacterial recognition, hemostasis, and imaging through modification or regulation of the polymer structure. Polymer materials also possess broad-spectrum antibacterial effects and low toxicity, making them ideal antibacterial agents.<br/>In this thesis, we synthesized four different types of functional antibacterial polymer materials and explored their capabilities in various antibacterial scenarios. Firstly, a photothermal antibacterial polymer with molecularly imprinted sites was synthesized for targeted photothermal antibacterial action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Building on the excellent antibacterial effect of photothermal therapy, a photothermal conjugated polymer was further utilized and combined with chitosan-based cryogel for potential wound hemostasis and bacterial infection treatment. Additionally, photothermal antibacterial therapy was enhanced using molecularly imprinted polymers to improve the photothermal and fluorescence imaging capabilities of aggregation-induced emission molecules for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, a polymer brush with quaternary ammonium salt and Cu-doped quantum dots was employed for bacterial binding, imaging, and synergistic antibacterial action.<br/>In summary, this thesis presents a series of polymer materials designed to address issues such as drug resistance and biofilms caused by bacterial infections. Different techniques such as molecular imprinting, borate affinity, and photothermal antibacterial methods have been employed to meet complex antibacterial requirements. We hope these efforts provide meaningful references and support for the further application and development of polymer materials in antibacterial applications.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Zhang, Qicheng}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-8096-114-1}},
  keywords     = {{Polymers, molecular imprinting technology, antibacterial, drug-resistant, biofilm}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Department of Chemistry, Lund University}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Multifunctional Polymeric Antibacterial Materials: Strategies against Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Biofilms}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/231067149/e-nailing_ex_Qicheng.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}