Abstract
An optically active antibacterial ruthenium(II) phenanthroline complex (tris(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) dichloride), is investigated for its potential as a multifunctional photo-initiator. Antibacterial and cytotoxic studies indicated that the complex is biologically active, and viable below <0.5 mm. The complex is shown to photo-polymerize gelatin using visible light in a similar manner to tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) dichloride and is demonstrated to retain antibacterial activity post-fabrication of a gelatin hydrogel. Incorporation of the photo-initiator into the interstitial fluid of a hybrid gelatin granular scaffold generated a multifunctional scaffold that retained cell viability and exhibited injectable properties.