Preparation and antibacterial activity of PET/chitosan nanofibrous mats using an electrospinning technique

The nanofiber deposition method, by electrospinning, was employed to introduce antibacterial activity and biocompatibility to the surface of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) textiles. The polymer blends of PET and chitosan were electrospun on to the PET micro‐nonwoven mats for biomedical applications. The PET/chitosan nanofibers were evenly deposited on to the surface, and the diameter of the nanofibers was in the range between 500 and 800 nm. The surface of the nanofibers was characterized using SEM, ESCA, AFM, and ATR‐FTIR. The wettability of the PET nanofibers was significantly enhanced by the incorporation of chitosan. The antibacterial activity of the samples was evaluated utilizing the colony counting method against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results indicated that the PET/chitosan nanofiber mats showed a significantly higher growth inhibition rate compared with the PET nanofiber control. In addition, the fibroblast cells adhered better to the PET/chitosan nanofibers than to the PET nanofibers mats, suggesting better tissue compatibility. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Regenerability of antibacterial activity of interpenetrating polymeric N‐halamine and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Effective antibacterial modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was achieved by forming a surface thermoplastic semi‐interpenetrating network of polyacrylamide (PAM) and PET, followed by converting the immobilized amides to N‐halamine. The regenerability of N‐halamine on PAM‐modified PET was significantly influenced by the cross‐linkers used to form the network. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen content analysis of the materials for up to 29 regeneration cycles, it was found that breaking down of the PAM network in chlorination accounted for the loss of regenerability. The relationship between antibacterial efficacy and N‐halamine concentration was also studied. Compared with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide and 2‐ethyleneglycol diacrylate, cross‐linker divinylbenzene can generate more durable PAM network. After 29 regeneration cycles, the PAM‐divinylbenzene network‐modified PET was still able to provide 100% reduction of healthcare‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 20 min contact. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis of novel pyridinium N‐chloramine precursors and its antimicrobial application on cotton fabrics

To control pathogenic microbial contamination on polymeric material surface, it is pivotal to develop materials with efficacious antimicrobial activity. Two pyridinium N‐chloramine precursors containing a siloxane handle were synthesized, characterized, and grafted onto cotton fabrics. The attenuated total reflectance spectra and scanning electron microscope photo analysis indicated that the cotton fabric surface was successfully modified. The resultant chlorinated fabric samples were challenged against bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Results showed that: (1) the surface modified cotton fabrics displayed satisfactory biocidal efficacy; (2) the precursor structure played a major role on surface grafting and antibacterial activity. This work provides two promising pyridinium N‐chloramine precursors which hold potential application for preparing antibacterial textile materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45323.     

Synthesis of modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers with antibacterial properties and their characterization

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were grafted with vinyl monomers by utilizing benzoyl peroxide. Grafted PET fibers were modified in optimized conditions with several functional groups such as amine, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide_, and triclosan to gain antibacterial feature. The second part of this study comprised examination of the antibacterial features of PET fibers via use of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) bacteria. Kirby-Bauer test is used to study antibacterial properties. The longest zone diameter for Trc-GMA-g-PET fibers was 56?mm for E. Coli whereas the biggest diameter for S. aureus bacteria was 130?mm with Trc-MMA-g-PET fibers.     

Surface grafting polymerization of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone onto a poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwoven by plasma pretreatment and its antibacterial activities

The objective of this research was the surface grafting polymerization of biocompatible monomer N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) onto a plasma‐treated nonwoven poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate with ultraviolet (UV)‐induced methods. The effects of various parameters, such as the monomer concentration, reaction time, initiator (ammonium peroxodisulfate) concentration, and crosslinking agent (N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide) concentration, on the grafting percentage were studied. The grafting efficiency of the modified nonwoven PET surfaces reached a maximum at 50 min of UV irradiation and with a 30 wt % aqueous NVP solution. After the plasma activation and/or grafting, the hydrophobic surface of the nonwoven was modified into a hydrophilic surface. NVP was successfully grafted onto nonwoven PET surfaces. The surface wettability showed that the water absorption of NVP‐grafted nonwoven PET (NVP‐g‐nonwoven PET) increased with increasing grafting time. NVP‐g‐nonwoven PET was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy measurements. An antibacterial assessment using an anti‐Staphylococcus aureus test indicated that S. aureus was restrained from growing in NVP‐g‐nonwoven PET. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 803–809, 2006     

A Novel Strategy for Creating an Antibacterial Surface Using a Highly Efficient Electrospray-Based Method for Silica Deposition

Adhesion of bacteria on biomedical implant surfaces is a prerequisite for biofilm formation, which may increase the chances of infection and chronic inflammation. In this study, we employed a novel electrospray-based technique to develop an antibacterial surface by efficiently depositing silica homogeneously onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film to achieve hydrophobic and anti-adhesive properties. We evaluated its potential application in inhibiting bacterial adhesion using both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. These silica-deposited PET surfaces could provide hydrophobic surfaces with a water contact angle greater than 120° as well as increased surface roughness (root mean square roughness value of 82.50 ± 16.22 nm and average roughness value of 65.15 ± 15.26 nm) that could significantly reduce bacterial adhesion by approximately 66.30% and 64.09% for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, compared with those on plain PET surfaces. Furthermore, we observed that silica-deposited PET surfaces showed no detrimental effects on cell viability in human dermal fibroblasts, as confirmed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and live/dead assays. Taken together, such approaches that are easy to synthesize, cost effective, and efficient, and could provide innovative strategies for preventing bacterial adhesion on biomedical implant surfaces in the clinical setting.     

Facile Fabrication of Povidone Iodine-Embedded Polytetrafluoroethylene Superhydrophobic Films with Improved Antiadhesive and Bactericidal Properties in Bacterial Environments

It remains a challenge to maintain the antiadhesion properties of superhydrophobic films after exposure to bacterial environments. In this work, superhydrophobic bactericidal polymer films via the simple incorporation of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) or iodine into polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are fabricated to improve their antiadhesive and antibacterial capability. Superhydrophobic iodine-embedded films, polytetrafluoroethylene/polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine and polytetrafluoroethylene-iodine (PTFE/PVP-I and PTFE-I), show excellent antiadhesive and bactericidal performances even post exposure to bacterial solutions as compared to iodine-free counterparts by controlling the release of iodine. Especially, superhydrophobic PTFE/PVP-I films display a more sustained iodine release profile and significant antibacterial properties against gram-positive (S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria. Such a facile combination of antiseptic agents and superhydrophobic surface could be widely used for antiseptic biomedical applications.     

Preparation of chitin‐CdTe quantum dots films and antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Novel chitin–cadmium‐tellurium quantum dot (Chitin‐CdTeQD) hybrid films combining chitin and CdTe quantum dots (CdTeQDs) were prepared via a facile aqueous synthesis route at room temperature. Films were characterized by high‐resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (HR‐FESEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Antibacterial activity was studied on both Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Antibacterial properties were investigated with agar diffusion testing assay and with confocal laser scanning microscopic image analysis. Chitin–CdTeQD films exhibited an excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Chitin–CdTeQD films might be a desirable antibacterial material for wide range of biomedical applications including wound dressing, burn treatment, drug delivery systems, packaging, ophthalmology, and implants. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44904.     

A novel method of modifying poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric using supercritical carbon dioxide

For the modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabric, a type of epoxy compound, glycerol polyglycidyl ether (GPE), was impregnated as a cross‐linking agent into PET fabric by means of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂), then, a series of immobilization processes were implemented, including the pad‐dry‐cure process and the solution process to finish the GPE‐PET fabric with natural functional agents (sericin, collagen, or chitosan). Chloroform was found to be an effective cosolvent, as evidenced by the mass transfer of GPE to PET during the treatment with scCO₂. Chemical analyses by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that GPE can penetrate the surface of the PET fabric in scCO₂ pretreatment process, and natural functional agents (sericin, collagen, or chitosan) can also be immobilized on the surface of the GPE‐PET fabric especially for the method of pad‐dry‐cure. The nitrogen content in the modified PET fabrics was calculated accurately and confirmed by combustion analysis. The modified PET fabric displayed improvements in surface wettability, moisturization efficiency, and antibacterial characteristics against S. aureus, which demonstrated that the feasibility of this design for immobilizing natural functional agents (sericin, collagen, or chitosan) onto the surface of the PET fabric. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation of nylon-6/chitosan composites by nanospider technology and their use as candidate for antibacterial agents

Electrospun nylon-6/chitosan (nylon-6/Ch) nanofibers were prepared by nanospider technology. Quaternary ammonium salts as antibacterial agent were immobilized onto electrospun nylon-6/Ch nanofibers via surface modification by soaking the mat in aqueous solution of glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC) at room temperature overnight to give nylon-6/N-[(2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium)propyl] chitosan chloride (nylon-6/HTCC). The morphological, structural and thermal properties of the nylon-6/ch nanofibers were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Biological screening has demonstrated the antibacterial activity of the electrospun nanofibers against Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli 35218, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus 24213 among the tested microbes. Thus, the study ascertains the value of the use of electrospun nanofibers, which could be of considerable interest to the development of new antibacterial materials for biomedical applications.     

Biowaste-derived hydroxyapatite reinforced with polyvinyl pyrrolidone/aloevera composite for biomedical applications

The present investigation focuses on the synthesis of crabshell-derived hydroxyapatite (CS-HAP)/ water-soluble synthetic polymer—polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)/aloevera(AV)—a natural biopolymer, as a composite for enhanced mechanical, antibacterial and biocompatible properties. The reinforcement of polymer has a significant function in increasing the mechanical property of the composite, whereas the incorporation of AV improves the antibacterial and biocompatibility. Phase composition, morphology, mechanical property, and hydrophilicity of CS-HAP/PVP/AV biocomposite with different concentrations of PVP and AV were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Vickers microhardness tests, contact angle, respectively. Furthermore, the antibacterial efficiency of the composite is assessed using Escherichia coli (E coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus). The biocompatibility of HOS MG 63 cells on the CS-HAP/PVP/AV composite is evaluated by MTT assay test. The obtained results evidence that the as-synthesized composite have appropriate mechanical, antibacterial and biocompatible properties. Overall, the combination of mechanical property of PVP, antibacterial and biocompatible property of AV in CS-HAP/PVP/AV, makes the composite a potential therapeutic material for various biomedical applications.     

Antibacterial poly(vinyl alcohol) film containing silver nanoparticles: Preparation and characterization

The importance of antibacterial materials for biomedical applications is growing nowadays. The presented article deals with the characterization of structural, mechanical and thermal properties and of antibacterial polymeric films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silver nitrate, which can find their applicability in wound dressing components and protective coating. The methods of transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis and XRD spectroscopy, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, stress–strain analysis, and agar diffusion test were used to characterize the polymer films prepared. The results showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus already at the lowest addition level of silver nitrate. An improvement of mechanical properties (Young's modulus) was also noticed due to a modification of PVA with silver nitrate up to 1 wt. % of silver content. Furthermore, the results show a strong effect of the thermal history of the sample preparation on the degree of silver‐ion reduction and formation of nanoparticles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of active antibacterial biomaterials based on sparfloxacin,enrofloxacin, and lomefloxacin deposited on polyethylene

Bacterial contamination is one of the biggest drawbacks of implanted biomaterials, which may cause nosocomial infection. Avoiding bacterial adhesion onto the biomaterial surface by preparing active antibacterial biomaterials is an accurate solution. In this study, three of the fluoroquinolones: sparfloxacin, enrofloxacin, and lomefloxacin were selected due to their broad bactericidal effect and immobilized onto low‐density polyethylene surface at two different pH values (pH 3 and pH 6), after tailoring the surface by plasma treatment followed by grafting of polymer brush of N‐allylmethylamine. Surface wettability test and morphological investigations were carried out by water contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscopy analysis, respectively. Chemical characterizations were carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was checked against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains and results revealed that prepared surfaces were more effective against E. coli than S. aureus especially those prepared at pH 6. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46174.     

Preparation and properties of antibacterial,biocompatible core–shell fibers produced by coaxial electrospinning

Coaxial electrospinning is a method for producing fibrous mats with optional features, such as antibacterial properties, controllable release, and hydrophobicity based on shell materials. Because these features are important in biomedical applications, in this study, biocompatible hydrophobic polymer (polycaprolactone) and hydrophilic polymer [poly(vinyl alcohol)] with silver nanoparticles loaded in the core solution were coaxially electrospun. The effect of silver addition on the conductivity and viscosity of the solutions, chemical structure of the fiber mats, mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophobicity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), silver release, and antibacterial properties were investigated. Fibers with silver exhibited less porosity and a lower WVTR and a greater contact angle than the fibers without silver. Furthermore, the core–shell fibers reduced the burst release of silver and successfully prevented the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Therefore, it seems that these fibers are suitable for providing electrospun mats with long‐term antibacterial properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44979.     

Radiation-Induced Acrylamide/4-Vinyl Pyridine Biocidal Hydrogels: Synthesis,Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activities

Acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine hydrogels were synthesized by radiation polymerization technique using a γ-irradiator. The prepared radiation-synthesized acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine hydrogels were then treated using a modifying agent with aromatic functional group. The modifying agent used in the modification of acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine hydrogels was the N-aromatic alkyl quaternizing agent of chloromethyl benzene. The functional group on the modified acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine hydrogels was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. Thermal analysis, surface morphology investigation, and swelling of the modified and unmodified hydrogels were completed. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the modified and unmodified hydrogels were also tested against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923); two gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) human pathogenic bacteria and a fungal strain—Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) for their MBC values. It was found that acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine hydrogels do not possess biocidal properties, whereas the modified form of acrylamide/4-vinyl pyridine?chloromethyl benzene showed highly bactericidal characteristics.     

Functionally modified,melt‐electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane mats for wound‐dressing applications

The electrospinning of a polymer melt is an interesting process for medical applications because it eliminates the cytotoxic effects of solvents in the electrospinning solution. Wound dressings made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), particularly as a porous structured electrospun membrane, are currently the focus of scientific and commercial interest. In this study, we developed a functionalized fibrillar structure as a novel antibacterial wound‐dressing material with the melt‐electrospinning of TPU. The surface of the fibers was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and silver nanoparticles (nAg's) to improve their wettability and antimicrobial properties. TPU was processed into a porous, fibrous network of beadless fibers in the micrometer range (4.89 ± 0.94 μm). The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the successful incorporation of nAg's onto the surface of the fiber structure. An antibacterial test indicated that the PEG‐modified nAg‐loaded TPU melt‐electrospun structure had excellent antibacterial effects against both a Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus strain and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli compared to unmodified and PEG‐modified TPU fiber mats. Moreover, modification with nAg's and PEG increased the water‐absorption ability in comparison to unmodified TPU. The cell viability and proliferation on the unmodified and modified TPU fiber mats were investigated with a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). The results demonstrate that the PEG‐modified nAg‐loaded TPU mats had no cytotoxic effect on the fibroblast cells. Therefore, the melt‐electrospun TPU fiber mats modified with PEG and nAg have the potential to be used as antibacterial, humidity‐managing wound dressings. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40132.     

Versatile surface biofunctionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by interpenetrating polymerization of a butynyl monomer followed by “Click Chemistry”

Biofunctionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is crucial to its medical and biomedical applications such as surgical drapes, vascular grafts and ligament prostheses. To furnish PET with an alkynyl handle, N-(2-methylbut-3-yn-2-yl)acrylamide (MBAA) underwent photo-initiated copolymerization with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) in methanol-swollen PET surface to form a 3-dimensional interpenetrating network (IPN). The alkynyl handle terminated surface was denoted as PMBAA-PET. A region-selective modification could be achieved using an engraved mask during the photo-initiated copolymerization. Several functional azides including dansyl-azide 1, azido-5,5-dimethyl-hydantoin analog 2, per-azido-β-cyclodextrin (per-azido-β-CD) and azido-Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA-N₃), were successfully bonded onto PMBAA-PET surface via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. Kinetic study of the heterogeneous “click” reaction between PMBAA-PET and 1 was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis. PMBAA-PET was rendered with effective biocidal activity against a healthcare-associated methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and a multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR-E. coli) after 2 was conferred. Meanwhile, accessible CD cavity was determined and the amount of covalently immobilized BSA protein was also quantified after the respective “click” linkages of per-azido-β-CD and BSA-N₃ on PMBAA-PET surface were established.     

Preparation of antibacterial biocompatible polycaprolactone/keratin nanofibrous mats by electrospinning

Keratin-based materials are widely used in biomedical applications due to excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, keratin was extracted from waste wool fibers and blended with polycaprolactone (PCL) to produce PCL/keratin nanofibrous mats by electrospinning. The electrospun PCL/keratin nanofibrous mats were chlorinated in diluted sodium hypochlorite solution to endow antibacterial properties. The prepared nanofibrous mats were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron, and Fourier infrared spectroscopy. The effect of the chlorination time on the active chlorine loading of the mats was investigated. The chlorinated PCL/keratin nanofibrous mats with 0.78 ± 0.009 wt% active chlorine displayed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43895) with 6.88 and 6.81 log reductions, respectively. It was found that the mats were compatible with mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The chlorinated PCL/keratin nanofibrous mats might find promising applications in the biomedical field.     

Grafting sulfobetaine monomer onto silicone surface to improve haemocompatibility

Silicone rubber has been used as a biomaterial for more than two decades and displays good mechanical and optical properties, but its chemical nature, poor antithrombogenicity, as well as its hydrophobicity, prevents its use in many demanding biomedical applications. In order to provide modified silicone with enhanced haemocompatibility, surface modification techniques were used. Ozonization was used to introduce active peroxide groups onto the silicone film surface and, subsequently, graft polymerization of N,N′‐dimethyl‐N‐methacryloyloxyethyl‐N‐(3‐sulfopropyl) ammonium (DMMSA), a zwitterionic sulfobetaine structure, onto the ozone activated silicone surface was conducted. Surface analysis was accomplished by means of attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), and X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle measurement. ATR‐FTIR and XPS investigation confirmed the graft polymerization. The grafted film possessed a relatively hydrophilic surface as indicated by contact angle measurement. The blood compatibility of the grafted films was evaluated by platelet adhesion in platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) and protein adsorption in bovine fibrinogen using silicone film as the reference. No platelet adhesion was observed for the grafted films incubated in PRP for 120 min. The protein adsorption was reduced on the grafted films after incubated in bovine fibrinogen for 120 min. These results confirmed that the improved blood compatibility was obtained by grafting this new zwitterronic sulfobetaine structure onto silicone film. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Engineering silver-zwitterionic composite nanofiber membrane for bacterial fouling resistance

Bacterial attachment and fouling compromise material performance in applications ranging from marine equipment and biomedical devices to water treatment systems. For membrane-based water treatment systems, bacterial attachment and biofilm formation decrease water purification efficiency and reduces mechanical durability of the membranes. In this work, we present a concurrent electrospinning and copolymerization approach to engineer composite nanofiber membranes comprising of silver nanoparticle containing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP-Ag) nanofibers and [copolymerized zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate-methacryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane]-poly(methyl methacrylate) nanofibers. We characterized the surface morphology, topography, material chemistry, and wettability of the nanofiber membranes with scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements. We then challenged these nonwoven membranes with two model microbes, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, and found that the silver-zwitterionic composite nanofiber membrane exhibited superior bacterial fouling resistance by reducing >90% of bacterial attachment when compared to neat PVDF-HFP and PVDF-HFP-Ag nanofiber membranes. This study demonstrates that concurrent electrospinning enables free-standing nanofiber membranes with sustained bacterial fouling resistance, with potential in applications in filtration and water treatment technologies for which antifouling strategies are imperative. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47580.