Bioinspired Piezoelectric Composite Material with Antibacterial Effect

Bacterial resistance is becoming more widespread due to healthcare and agriculture antibiotics excessive use. Current solutions are focused on preventing biofilm formation with chemical surface coatings (antibiotics) that kill the bacteria once they arrive on the surface. This approach makes bacteria even more multi-drug resistant. Additionally, the use of contaminated shoe soles can impart microbial dissemination in a controlled atmosphere of the healthcare and food industries. This work proposes the design, fabrication, and characterization of a bio-inspired material with an active antibacterial surface through piezoelectric surface potentials for medical and footwear applications. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is a lead-free piezoelectric (191pC/N) bioceramic without toxicological risk. BaTiO3 presents a direct piezoelectric effect as a response to deformation. Surface potentials are directly related to bacterial adhesion inhibition and bacterial rupture through cell membrane penetration and disruption. In this sense, composites with BaTiO3 particles and Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) were produced at different percentages. The composites were mixed and hot pressed to produce samples for characterization through SEM and XRD analysis, along with bacterial adhesion with Gram-positive (Staphylococcus Aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a co-culture of both bacteria). Antibacterial properties of the functional surface are majorly dependent on material composition (percentages and phases) and process parameters (pressure and temperature).