One-Pot Fabrication\nof Highly Flexible Fluorine-Free\nLubricant-Infused Poly(vinyl alcohol) Films with Superior Antifouling\nProperties

In clinical settings, biofluid-contacting devices can\nsuffer from\nbiofouling, leading to thrombus formation and bacterial biofilm buildup,\nwhich impair device function and pose health risks. Traditional antifouling\nmethods, including the use of hydrophilic polymers and heparin coatings,\noften suffer from instability and reduced bioactivity over time. Lubricant-infused\nsurfaces (LIS) have emerged as a promising alternative due to their\nlong-term stability and broad-spectrum repellency. However, current\nLIS technologies typically involve complex, multistep processes that\nrestrict their application to surface layers, potentially compromising\nperformance under mechanical stress. This study introduces a novel\nmethod for bulk modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films, creating\nflexible lubricant-infused PVA membranes with superior antifouling\n properties. These films are fabricated by cross-linking the PVA chains\nusing n-propyltrichlorosilane (n-PTCS) and subsequent infusion with\nsilicone oil as a lubricant. The modified PVA films significantly\nprevent bacterial adhesion and prolong blood and plasma clot formation.\nAdditionally, these films exhibit enhanced mechanical properties,\nparticularly in elasticity and flexibility compared to unmodified\nPVA films. The developed technique provides a straightforward method\nfor creating flexible, super-repellent biointerfaces with the potential\nto prevent blood adhesion and bacterial biofilm formation, which are\ncommon complications associated with biofluid-contacting devices and\nmedical implants.