Titania nanoparticles prevent development of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms on polystyrene surfaces

Direct observation of the influence of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the development of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms on the surfaces of TiO2/polystyrene nanocomposite films was performed using scanning electron and atomic force microscopies. Significant reduction in the area covered by the biofilm on the nanocomposite surface was detected, as well as a decrease in the amount of extracellular polymeric substance secreted by the microorganism. The water contact angle values and surface roughness of the thermoplastic films showed negligible changes with the introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles in polystyrene, indicating that the nanostructures inhibit cellular adhesion by affecting the microorganisms directly and not by changing the surface properties of the polymer. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved