Autonomous and Continuous Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Surface for Antibacterial Application through Enzymatic Self-Propagating Reactions.

Graphical Please respond ! pH-Responsive polymer surfaces that are capable of transforming specific local fleeting stimuli into global macroscopic property changes were designed by the introduction of self-propagating reactions into polymer-surface systems (see figure). The H + -responsive polymer surfaces can be employed for antibacterial applications, and this design strategy offers methods for achieving autonomously reconfigurable materials. Stimuli-responsive polymer materials inspired by biological materials have invoked increasing research interest; however, they still suffer from limitations such as finite amplified responses and poor sensitivity of the unstimulated parts. Herein, a new strategy for creating H + -responsive polymer surfaces that are capable of transforming specific local fleeting stimuli into global macroscopic changes is described. The introduction of self-propagating reactions into the polymer-surface systems endows them with excellent stimuli-amplifying properties and response of the unstimulated parts. On the basis of this design, a polymer and enzymatic reaction were employed to enable a specific response to a stimulus and then lead to macroscopic changes of the surface. It is further shown that the prepared H + -responsive polymer surfaces can be employed for antibacterial application. This work provides a good example of achieving autonomously reconfigurable materials that respond to local fleeting stimuli.