Sulfur-Polymer Nanoparticles: Preparation and Antibacterial Activity

Dop, Romy A, Neill, Daniel R and Hasell, Tom ORCID: 0000-0003-4736-0604 (2023) Sulfur-Polymer Nanoparticles: Preparation and Antibacterial Activity ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 15 (17). pp. 20822-20832. ISSN 1944-8244, 1944-8252

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Abstract

High sulfur content polymers prepared by inverse vulcanization have many reported potential applications, including as novel antimicrobial materials. High sulfur content polymers usually have limited water-solubility and dispersibility due to their hydrophobic nature, which could limit the development of their applications. Herein, we report the formulation of high sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles by a nanoprecipitation and emulsion-based method. High sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles were found to have an inhibitory effect against important bacterial pathogens, including Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Salt-stable particles were formulated with the addition of a surfactant, which did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of the polymeric particles. Furthermore, the polymeric nanoparticles were found to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation and exhibited low cytotoxicity against mammalian liver cells. Interaction of the polymeric particles with cellular thiols could be a potential mechanism of action against bacterial cells, as demonstrated by reaction with cysteine as a model thiol. The findings presented demonstrate methods of preparing aqueous dispersions of high sulfur content polymeric nanoparticles that could have useful biological applications.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	inverse vulcanization, sulfur, polysulfides, antibacterial, biofilm inhibition, nanoparticles
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Physical Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2023 14:59
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 08:12
DOI:	10.1021/acsami.3c03826
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169807
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