ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2016, 8, 28047−28054

Haitao Yang,† Guofeng Li,‡ Jeffrey W. Stan**ury,§ Xiaoqun Zhu,† Xing Wang,*,‡ and Jun Nie*,†

On the basis of the use of photopolymerization technology, a facile and reliable method for in situ preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within PNIPAAm functional surfaces is presented as a means to achieve nonfouling, antibacterial films. The surface properties were characterized by tran**ission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle, and thermogravimetric ****ysis (TGA). The antibacterial and release properties of the surfaces were tested against E. coli: at 37 °C (above the LCST of PNIPAAm), the functional films facilitated the attachment of bacteria, which were then killed by the AgNPs. Changing temperature to 4 °C (below the LCST), swollen PNIPAAm chains led the release of dead bacteria. The results showed that AgNPs/PNIPAAm hybrid surfaces offer a “**art” antibacterial capability in response to the change of environmental temperature.