Recent advances and challenges of antimicrobial applications of polyether polymers in the biomedical and industrial sectors: An overview

The physicochemical properties of synthetic polymers, particularly polyethers, have established them as widely used biomaterials in various biomedical applications. These polymers have shown promising biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them suitable for the preparation of antimicrobial products. In this regard, polyether polymers, like poly (ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), polyethersulfone (PES), and poly((ethylene oxide)-b-(propylene oxide)-b-(ethylene oxide)) (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO) can be functionalized with antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial coatings for medical devices, catheters, implants, wound dressings, surgical sutures, surgical meshes, antimicrobial textiles, pharmaceutical packaging, food packaging, and water purification are among the main applications of polyethers discussed in this review. This review highlights recent advancements, particularly from ۲۰۱۸ to۲۰۲۴ in the antimicrobial applications of polyethers, discusses key challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and scalability, and outlines future perspectives for optimizing their clinical and industrial performance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antimicrobial coatings ، Catheters ، implants ، Wound dressings ، Surgical Sutures ، Antimicrobial textiles ، Food packaging