Light-Activated Antimicrobial Surface Based on a PEDOT-Corrole Conjugated Electropolymer

A photodynamically active antimicrobial surface based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-corrole (PEDOT-Co) conjugated polymer was successfully synthesized and evaluated for the photokilling of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Our approach involved the electrochemical polymerization of a 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene-corrole conjugate monomer (EDOT-Co), which was obtained through a regioselective aromatic nucleophilic substitution. The EDOT moieties serve as the polymerizable centers, while the corrole unit confers photodynamic activity to the structure. The resulting PEDOT-Co films were prepared in a reproducible and controllable electrochemical procedure, yielding robust and photostable coatings. Spectroscopic studies confirmed that the corrole core remains intact after electropolymerization, retaining its key optical and photodynamic properties within the polymeric chain. Upon visible light irradiation, PEDOT-Co surfaces efficiently generated singlet oxygen (1O2) under aerobic conditions. The antimicrobial performance of the PEDOT-Co films was evaluated against MRSA, achieving bacterial survival reductions of more than 99.99% after 30 min of visible light irradiation. This work represents the first electrodeposited polymer based on corrole applied to the photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of microorganisms. In addition, it highlights the potential of PEDOT-Co photodynamic polymers as innovative self-sterilizing surfaces for antimicrobial applications, combining straightforward monomer synthesis, electrochemical versatility, and high biocidal efficiency.