Work

Polyurethane aerogels doped with modified SiO2 particles: Advanced materials with antibacterial properties for healthcare applications

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, often originating from bacterial biofilms on inanimate surfaces. Novel materials with antibacterial properties are required to address this problem. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of polyurethane (PU) aerogels doped with modified SiO 2 particles against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacterial species. The results demonstrate that the doped aerogels significantly reduce bacterial concentrations, achieving reductions of up to 99.997% for Staphylococcus aureus , 99.999% for Staphylococcus epidermidis , and 89.176% for Enterococcus faecalis compared to the positive control. The antibacterial activity is attributed to the interactions between the modified-SiO 2 particles and the bacterial cell walls, which may lead to membrane destabilization and cell lysis. These findings suggest that PU aerogels doped with modified-SiO 2 particles could effectively reduce HAIs in healthcare settings. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms and optimize the application of these materials.

Source: Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.137204

Authors: Cristina Ortega-Portas, Esther Pinilla-Peñalver, Luz Sánchez-Silva, Estíbaliz Torrecilla-Sádaba, Jaime Esteban, John Jairo Aguilera-Correa

Institutions: University of Castilla-La Mancha, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Infecciosas

Language: English

Topic: Antimicrobial agents and applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200