Photopyroelectric Nanocomposites: A Strategy for Continuous Self-Disinfection of High-Traffic Surfaces

Abstract

High-traffic surfaces act as persistent reservoirs for pathogen transmission, motivating the development of durable, non-leaching self-disinfecting coatings. Here, gold nanostars were integrated into poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF−TrFE)] to create an electroactive plasmonic nanocomposite that converts light stimuli into antibacterial surface activity. Under red/near-infrared illumination, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-mediated heating at the nanofiller-matrix interface triggers the pyroelectric response of P(VDF−TrFE). This photothermal-pyroelectric coupling produced nanostar dose-dependent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, achieving bacterial reductions exceeding 90% under illumination while maintaining biocompatibility with fibroblasts under standard culture conditions. Importantly, the inherent piezoelectric response of P(VDF−TrFE) enables surface charge generation under mechanical pressure, suggesting a complementary activation pathway relevant to frequently touched interfaces. This work establishes a versatile, durable, and non-leaching nanomaterial platform for multi-responsive antimicrobial surfaces in high-contact settings.