Fig. 4.

Additional features of STRIPS-bijel derived membranes. a Formation of pH-responsive poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel fibers by hydrolysis of fibers composed of HDA cross-linked poly(tert-butylacrylate). The photo- and micro- graphs show the fibers unswollen at pH 4 and swollen at pH 10. Scale bars upper micrographs 2 mm, scale bar lower micrographs 200 µm. b Zwitterionic silane functionalization of the densely-packed silica nanoparticle surface of the membranes. Three dimensional confocal micrographs show that the unmodified membranes (having a faint green fluorescence themselves) are partially coated by bright speckles of green-fluorescent Streptococcus mutants (see inset), while the zwitterionic silane-functionalized membrane does not show significant bacteria adhesion. The inset diagram shows the comparison of the average fluorescence intensity along the length of both membranes. Both membranes have been imaged at the same settings for confocal micrograph acquisition. Scale bar isometric membrane perspective 50 µm, scale bar magnified insets 20 µm