White light-induced AIEgen polyurethane films containing Schiff base copper(ii) complexes for synergistic chemo/photodynamic antibacterial therapy

Abstract

To solve the problem of bacterial resistance caused by the overuse of antibiotics, we successfully prepared a sort of polyurethane (PU) composite film with dual antibacterial effects. These films can generate ROS in the aggregated state and the conjugated structure of the polymer further enhances its ability to produce ROS. Meanwhile, copper complexes of Schiff base ligands can play a crucial part in anti-bacterial activity without external stimulation. Encouragingly, PU films loaded with AIEgens and copper complexes of Schiff base ligands can produce a synergistic antibacterial effect. In vitro antibacterial tests show that polyurethane (PU) films with dual bactericidal modes exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. aureus and MRSA. In a word, such a kind of PU film can act as a potential antibacterial agent for multi-mode combined antibacterial therapy.