Compatibilization of laser generated antibacterial Ag- and Cu-nanoparticles for perfluorinated implant materials

The production of silver and copper particles by laser ablation in an organic solvent and their in situ functionalization with amphiphilic copolymers bearing fluorinated side chains is presented. Aside the stabilization of the particles, the fluorinated side chains render the modified particles compatible with a perfluorinated matrix, which results in a homogeneous distribution of the particles in the matrix. The incorporation of silver particles in perfluorinated matrices is of special interest for the preparation of antibacterial composites, e.g. PTFE, which might be applied in antibacterial implants, e.g. antibacterial vascular prostheses. Laser ablation in liquids as a general method to produce charged nanoparticles of any metal is hence combined with sophisticated surface active compounds.