The Polymer Society of Korea

박일수 (한국과학기술연구원)

김재홍 (한국과학기술연구원)

Regulating surface properties in antimicrobial hydrogels is essential for biofilm inhibition. Here, we report a concentration-dependent self-assembly strategy to control the surface chemistry of hydrogels incorporating a terminally modified antimicrobial peptoid, TM1S. TM1S was immobilized within a gelatin-based hydrogel via thiol–ene click chemistry, enabling controlled surface presentation.

Varying TM1S concentration modulated its assembly state within the hydrogel network. Concentration-dependent changes in hydrophobic microdomains upon gelation indicated distinct self-assembly behaviors. These differences translated into altered surface charge and wettability, leading to reduced bacterial adhesion at low TM1S concentrations and enhanced localized antibacterial interactions at higher loadings.

Overall, TM1S concentration governs supramolecular organization and surface functionality in antimicrobial hydrogels.