Antifogging and antibacterial properties of amphiphilic coatings based on zwitterionic copolymers

Tackling fogging and microbial infection problems related to the endoscope lens remain challenges due to visual disturbances and bacterial threats to human health. Herein, highly transparent antifogging and antibacterial coatings were developed in a facile way by thermal curing of zwitterionic copolymers poly(n-butyl methacrylate-co-2-aminoethyl methacrylate-co-sulfobetaine methacrylate)s with 1,3,5-triformylbenzene. Characterizations of surface chemical composition and wettability suggested that the copolymer coatings exhibited amphiphilicity with a hydrophobic surface and internal hydrophilicity. The prepared amphiphilic coating exhibited excellent antifogging properties both in vivo and in vitro . The introduction of hydrophobic n-butyl methacrylate and cationic aminoethylmethacrylate could improve the stability and antibacterial capability of the coating. The growth inhibition rates of the coatings against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were up to 99% and the copolymer coatings with the zwitterionic groups had low hemolytic rates less than 3%. The amphiphilic copolymer coatings combined antifogging and antibacterial properties may have a promising potential for applications in biomedical devices.