Scorpion-Based Fluorescent Polyimine: Highly Antibacterial, Interfacial Adhesive, and Self-Healing Polymer Films

Abstract

In this work, we have reported a simple synthetic method for the biofluorescence polyimine (PDMS-DM) film through a Schiff base reaction using the scorpion-based fluorescent derivative dibenzaldehyde macrocyclic diphthalate ester and aminopropyl-polydimethylsiloxane as precursors. Under the synergistic effect of dynamic imine bonds and flexible PDMS, the obtained PDMS-DM film shows strong interfacial adhesion and rapid self-healing behavior at room temperature. Meanwhile, inspired by the structure of MDE extracted from the scorpion exoskeleton, the PDMS-DM films exhibit obvious fluorescence under UV illumination and efficient antibacterial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, demonstrating great potential for use as antimicrobial packaging materials.