1. After successfully generating AuNSmodified surfaces that have the capability to interact with E.faecalis, these model catheter surfaces were tested as platforms
for photothermally killing pathogenic bacteria.
2. The photothermal killing process was undertaken using several different
time intervals under illumination with an 810-nm NIR diode laser to determine the time frame required to produce sufficient exposure to bacteria-killing heat.
3. To prepare four sets of three surface samples, we incubated small strips (0.3 cm × 1 cm) of both types of functionalized AuNS-modified PDMS surfaces (16-MHDA- and lipoic acid-functionalized AuNSs), along with a control sample produced with PAMAM on the PDMS surface in the absence of the AuNSs, with E. faecalis at 37 °C for 120 h.
4. Three of these sets of samples were then exposed to laser
illumination for 5, 7, and 10 min, respectively, with the fourth
sample set not receiving any laser exposure.