Antimicrobial polymeric coatings synthesized by solvent-free initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition: A review

Microbial adhesion on surfaces may cause infectious diseases that seriously threaten human health, which could be controlled by antimicrobial surfaces. Antimicrobial polymeric coatings could endow surfaces with biocidal property to address infectious diseases. Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is a novel technique to synthesize high-quality polymeric antimicrobial coatings on various surfaces. Owing to the solvent-free and mild deposition conditions, iCVD facilitates solvent-susceptible, delicate, or fragile substrates. Herein, we provided a comprehensive review of antimicrobial coatings fabricated by iCVD. First, iCVD was introduced. Then, antimicrobial iCVD coatings were discussed based on killing and antifouling strategies. The microbe-killing coatings were discussed according to release-killing and contact-killing approaches. Next, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic antifouling coatings were reviewed. Finally, micro/nano-structured antimicrobial surfaces fabricated via iCVD were also discussed, followed by the future directions of iCVD coatings in the antimicrobial field.