The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Fluoroelastomers have attracted significant attention due to their excellent physical properties, such as low surface energy and high biocompatibility, especially in the medical and healthcare fields. However, their hydrophobic nature may promote bacterial growth and biofilm formation. To address this issue, we developed antibacterial fluoroelastomers by introducing quaternary ammonium groups into VDF-based copolymers through a simple chemical modification. The resulting polymers were fabricated into films under varying drying temperatures. Their mechanical and dielectric properties were analyzed using UTM and dielectric spectroscopy. Furthermore, self-healing and antimicrobial activity tests were conducted to evaluate their functional performance. These antibacterial fluoroelastomers offer promising potential for future biomaterial applications.