Recent developments in antimicrobial polymers for biofilm inhibition

Abstract

Biofilm-associated infections continue to present a formidable clinical challenge, as surface-adhered microbial communities exhibit remarkable tolerance toward conventional antibiotics. Polymeric materials have emerged as a versatile platform for combating biofilms, offering chemical tunability and enabling diverse antimicrobial strategies. This feature review article highlights recent advances in polymeric materials designed to prevent biofilm-associated infections by resisting bacterial adhesion (passive inhibition) or exerting bactericidal effects (active inhibition). These approaches include antifouling surfaces, polymer–nanoparticle composites, and bioinspired materials. Particular attention is given to how polymer structure and functionality (e.g., hydrophobicity, charge, and network architecture) govern bacterial adhesion and viability at interfaces. Emerging glycomaterials are also discussed, where glycan motifs are integrated with nanoparticles or cationic domains to enhance biofilm penetration and antimicrobial efficacy. Collectively, these studies underscore the potential of polymeric materials to modulate microbe–surface interactions, thereby guiding the design of next-generation antibiofilm materials.