Chemical,biological, and antibacterial characterization of silica glass containing silver and gold nanoparticles

The aim of this study has been the preparation of sol‐gel glasses with potential antibacterial properties. Bioactive glasses containing different percentages of silver and gold nanoparticles have been synthesized via the sol‐gel method. The obtained glasses have 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt% silver as well as a constant amount of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) added as colloidal solution (15 wt%). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to investigate the surface of each sample. Moreover, the materials have been characterized in order to verify their antibacterial activities as well as their bioactivity and cytocompatibility as a function of Ag and Au content. SEM/EDX analysis has shown that the samples are bioactive because they are able to stimulate hydroxyapatite nucleation on their surface when soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF). WST‐8 assay of 3T3 cells, placed in contact with the material extracts, has showed that the glass does not induce cytotoxicity. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains have been used for the evaluation of the antibacterial properties of each sample. The experimental data have shown that all synthesized materials have antibacterial activity. However, the two bacterial strains respond differently to the materials. The data show that the presence of AuNP causes a decrease in the antibacterial activity of Ag⁺ ions.     

Influence of silver on the structure,dielectric and antibacterial effect of silver doped bioglass-ceramic nanoparticles

We present the structural, dielectric, biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of nano-sized calcium phosphosilicate bioglass ceramics doped with 0, 2, 4 and 6 mol% Ag₂O. Sol-gel processes were chosen to synthesize the silver embedded nanosized glass ceramic particles. All samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–visible and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The glass-ceramic nature of the samples is confirmed by XRD analysis. The FTIR spectra reveal the probable stretching and bending vibration modes of silicate and phosphate groups. UV–visible absorption spectra reveal the silver embedment as Ag⁺/Ag° form in the glass matrix. Nano-size of the glass ceramics and silver nanoparticle embedment in glass matrix are confirmed by HR-TEM analysis. Dielectric spectra of samples reveal non-Debye relaxation processes. The dielectric constant of samples initially decreased and then increased with Ag₂O content. The antibacterial activities of these bioceramics were tested with different bacteria using an agar well diffusion method. Silver doped samples show good antibacterial effects without compromising the formation of hydroxyapatites. The dielectric constant of the bioglass ceramics is correlated to their antibacterial performance, with low dielectric constants giving higher antibacterial activity.     

Porous chitosan/ZnO-doped bioglass composites as carriers of bioactive peptides

In this study, we aimed to assess whether the composite of chitosan/ZnO-doped bioglass can be applied as a suitable scaffold for the incorporation of bioactive peptides. Material of a porous composite with 1:1 ratio of bioglass:polymer was produced and used as a matrix for delivery of peptide. A peptide with the PEPTIDES sequence (Pro-Glu-Pro-Thr-Ile-Asp-Glu-Ser) was chosen as a model peptide. Microstructure and pore sizes of chitosan/ZnO-doped bioglass were assessed. Open porosity and pore sizes of the composite were suitable for enabling the migration of cells and ensuring the easy delivery of nutrients within the implant. In addition, composite showed bioactivity and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Peptide alone did not have any cytotoxic activity on human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Also it did not show any antibacterial properties and did not cause hemolysis of red blood cells. The peptide incorporated in composite showed a rapid release in the kinetics profile. The obtained results indicate that there is the technological possibility to incorporate peptides in chitosan/ZnO-doped bioglass scaffolds. Such biomaterials have potential application in bone tissue engineering.     

Microstructural,mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism of DLP produced β-tricalcium phosphate scaffolds by incorporation of MgO/ZnO/58S bioglass

The inherent brittleness of bioceramics restricts their applications in load-bearing implant, although they possess good biocompatibility and bioactivity. ZnO, MgO and 58S bioglass (BG) were incorporated as additives to further improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of β-TCP and ZnO/MgO/BG-β-TCP composite scaffolds were manufactured via digital light processing (DLP). The composite with the best comprehensive performance was selected for degradation behavior and biocompatibility evaluation. The effects of different proportions of ZnO/MgO/BG on mechanical strength were analyzed and ZnO0·5/MgO1/BG2-β-TCP (ZMBT) samples exhibited superior mechanical strength. The improvement by 272% and 99% respectively was achieved in fracture toughness and compressive strength with the optimal recipe. The enhancement effect is realized through phase transition, alterative sliding actions and transgranular fracture to effectively prevent the load transfer combining the functions of bioglass and metal oxide. ZMBT scaffolds exhibited a more desirable pH environment and an enhanced ability of apatite-mineralization formation, meanwhile Si⁴⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were gradually released from scaffolds. Furthermore, in vitro evaluation indicated that ZMBT scaffolds presented not only excellent cell attachment, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, but they up-regulated osteogenic gene (ALP, OCN, Runx2). These results suggest that the addition of ZnO/MgO/BG to DLP-printed β-TCP scaffolds offer a smart strategy to fabricate porous scaffolds with conspicuously better biological and physicochemical properties including compressive strength, bioactivity, osteogenesis and osteogenesis-related gene expression. Metal-oxide and BG synergistically enhanced the mechanical and biological properties which make the ZMBT scaffolds a strong candidate for bone repair applications.     

Antibacterial poly(vinyl alcohol) film containing silver nanoparticles: Preparation and characterization

The importance of antibacterial materials for biomedical applications is growing nowadays. The presented article deals with the characterization of structural, mechanical and thermal properties and of antibacterial polymeric films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silver nitrate, which can find their applicability in wound dressing components and protective coating. The methods of transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis and XRD spectroscopy, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, stress–strain analysis, and agar diffusion test were used to characterize the polymer films prepared. The results showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus already at the lowest addition level of silver nitrate. An improvement of mechanical properties (Young's modulus) was also noticed due to a modification of PVA with silver nitrate up to 1 wt. % of silver content. Furthermore, the results show a strong effect of the thermal history of the sample preparation on the degree of silver‐ion reduction and formation of nanoparticles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Neutron diffraction study of antibacterial bioactive calcium silicate sol-gel glasses containing silver

Bioactive sol-gel calcia-silica glasses can regenerate damaged or diseased bones due to their ability to stimulate bone growth. This capability is related to the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer on the glass surface, which bonds with bone, and the release of soluble silica and calcium ions in the body fluid which accelerates bone growth. The addition of silver ions imbues the glass with antibacterial properties due to the release of antibacterial Ag⁺ ion. The antibacterial activity is therefore closely dependent on the dissolution properties of the glasses which in turn are related to their atomic-level structure. Structural characterization of the glasses at the atomic level is therefore essential in order to investigate and control the antibacterial properties of the glass. We have used neutron diffraction to investigate the structure of silver-containing calcia-silica sol-gel bioactive glasses with different Ag₂O loading (0, 2, 4, 6 mol%). The presence of the silver had little effect on the host glass structure, although some silver metal nanoparticles were present. Results agreed with previous computer simulations.     

Cold sintering of bioglass and bioglass/polymer composites

Bioactive glasses are widely utilized to regenerate bone tissue and aid bonding of orthopedic implants. Forming composites of bioglass with bioactive polymers allow the mechanical properties and biological response to be tailored. Although several methods for creating bioglass–polymer composites exist, they require dissolution of the polymer, controlled phase separation, and appear to have an upper limit of ∼30 vol.% bioglass. Cold sintering is a novel technique for the densification of ceramics and glasses which utilizes a liquid phase and pressure to allow the production of components at reduced temperatures. We demonstrate that cold sintering (100°C) of Bioglass 45S5 powder produced via flame spray pyrolysis and the fabrication of Bioglass 45S5–polymer composites. Assessment of the in vitro response revealed that composites were not cytotoxic. Solid-state ³¹P and ²⁹Si MAS NMR studies of the silicon and phosphorus speciation in the glass powder, as-received, wetted, and sintered samples show similarities to reactions expected when bioglass is implanted in the body which along with Raman spectroscopy data gave insight into the cold sintering densification mechanism.     

The studies of cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of composites with ZnO-doped bioglass

The paper presents results of the studies on porous composites obtained using lyophilization method based on the solutions of the following polymers: chitosan, sodium alginate and polylactide, as well as ZnO-doped CaO–SiO₂–P₂O₅ bioglass. The researchers took the advantage of zinc ions demonstrating the bactericidal, immune-stimulating, and tissue-regenerating functions in the organism. The cytotoxicity of the composites was tested on L929 cells by means of the direct and the indirect contact method. The antibacterial properties were determined against the gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus at 24, 48 hours, and 7 days. The study demonstrated that changes due to cytotoxicity effect of the composites depend on the type of polymer and on the duration of contact with cells. The composite with polylactide was found to be the least toxic for L929 cells. ZnO added to the chemical composition of bioglass ensured bactericidal effects. The antibacterial properties of the composites depended on the ZnO content, bioglass grain size, polymer type, and composite microstructure. The composites presented in this paper are innovative as biomaterials for filling bone cavities because they can be a matrix for cells and have an antibacterial effect while supporting the regeneration of damaged tissue.     

Thermal behavior,structure, crystallization and solubility of the melt-derived SiO2–P2O5–Na2O–F-MO (M = Ca,Sr, Zn) glasses

In this work, phospho-silicate glasses with SiO₂–P₂O₅–Na₂O–F-MO (M = Ca, Sr, Zn) composition were prepared by using the conventional melt quenching technology. Structural, physical, and chemical property tests were used to analyze the effects of different SrO and ZnO content on the structure and properties of the glasses. The results showed that the glass stability varied nonlinearly as CaO was replaced by SrO, which was mainly related to the different positions of Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions breaking the network connection in the network structure, and the substitution of ZnO for CaO led to a continuous decrease in the stability of the glasses. The immersion experiment showed that SrO doping was more feasible than ZnO doping to improve the biological activity of the glasses, and the doping of ZnO promoted the dissolution of ions in the glasses. The obtained results indicated that the glass samples prepared in this paper have potential biological activity, which has potential applications in dental treatment.     

Preparation and properties of antibacterial,biocompatible core–shell fibers produced by coaxial electrospinning

Coaxial electrospinning is a method for producing fibrous mats with optional features, such as antibacterial properties, controllable release, and hydrophobicity based on shell materials. Because these features are important in biomedical applications, in this study, biocompatible hydrophobic polymer (polycaprolactone) and hydrophilic polymer [poly(vinyl alcohol)] with silver nanoparticles loaded in the core solution were coaxially electrospun. The effect of silver addition on the conductivity and viscosity of the solutions, chemical structure of the fiber mats, mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophobicity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), silver release, and antibacterial properties were investigated. Fibers with silver exhibited less porosity and a lower WVTR and a greater contact angle than the fibers without silver. Furthermore, the core–shell fibers reduced the burst release of silver and successfully prevented the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Therefore, it seems that these fibers are suitable for providing electrospun mats with long‐term antibacterial properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44979.     

Efficiency of silver‐based antibacterial additives and its influence in thermoplastic elastomers

Styrene‐butylene/ethylene‐styrene‐based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are polymers with soft touch properties that are widely used for manufacturing devices that involve hand contact. However, when contaminated with microorganisms these products can contribute to spreading diseases. The incorporation of antibacterial additives can help maintain low bacteria counts. This work evaluated the antibacterial action of TPE loaded with silver ions and silver nanoparticles. The additives nanosilver on fumed silica (NpAg_silica), silver phosphate glass (Ag⁺_phosphate), and bentonite organomodified with silver (Ag⁺_bentonite) were added to the TPE formulation. The compounds were evaluated for tensile and thermal properties and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). All the additives eliminated over 90% of E. coli, but only NpAg_silica killed more than 80% of S. aureus population. The better effect of NpAg_silica was attributed to the additive's high specific surface area, which promoted greater contact with bacteria cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43956.     

Structural,optical, morphological properties of silver doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles by microwave irradiation method

The synthesis of silver doped cobalt oxide nanoparticles by microwave-assisted method and their structural, optical, antibacterial activities are presented in this study. The doping concentrations were chosen as 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt percentages. The sample was undergone powder X-ray diffraction studies and the result shows the good crystalline nature of the sample. Also, the average crystallite size increases from 13.95 nm, 21.26 nm, 26.13 nm, and 28.35 nm with different doping concentrations. The transmission electron microscopy image shows cubic and spherical morphology. The optical properties were tested by UV–vis–NIR absorption spectrum. It indicates the decrease of band gap value. From the antibacterial activity studies, the 20 wt % Ag doped nanoparticles exhibit better activity.     

Chitosan/MWCNTs‐decorated with silver nanoparticle composites: Dielectric and antibacterial characterization

The dielectric and biological properties of chitosan (CTS)‐based nanocomposites were analyzed by dielectric spectroscopy, and antibacterial and antifungal assays. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgnP) were incorporated into a CTS matrix at different concentrations to obtain bionanocomposite thin films. The conductivity of pristine CTS is considerably enhanced, by six orders of magnitude, with the inclusion of CNT; however, with the addition of CNT decorated with AgnP it only increases by two orders of magnitude because of strong chemical interactions between the CNT and AgnP that also affect the antibacterial activity of the composite. The percolation threshold in the CTS/CNT composites is ca. 1.3 wt %, while in CTS/CNT‐AgnP composites the strong CNT‐AgnP chemical interactions give a percolation threshold of ca. 2.2 wt % of CNT‐AgnP. In both cases, DC conductivity exhibits a three‐dimensional hopping conductivity, and the σ‐ and α‐relaxation processes are disclosed in agreement with the pristine CTS relaxation processes previously reported; however, these two relaxations vanish in the vicinity of the saturation concentration. Finally, the antifungal activity of the CTS/CNT‐AgnP composites is comparable with the activity of other composites, while their antibacterial activity seems to be competitive with respect to commercial antibiotics, indicating the effectiveness of these composites in potential hygienic applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40214.     

The novel alginate/N‐succinyl‐chitosan antibacterial blend fibers

Alginate/ N‐Succinyl‐chitosan (SCS) blend fibers, prepared by spinning their mixture solution through a viscose‐type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl₂, were studied for structure and properties with the aid of infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated a good miscibility between alginate and SCS, because of the strong interaction from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The best values of the dry tensile strength and breaking elongation were obtained when SCS content was 30 wt %. The wet tensile strength decreased with the increase of SCS content, and the wet breaking elongation achieved maximum value when the SCS content was 30 wt %. Introduction of SCS in the blend fiber improved water‐retention properties of blend fiber compared to pure alginate fiber. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by treating the fibers with aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Bioactivity and antibacterial activity against E-coli of calcium-phosphate-based glasses: Effect of silver content and crystallinity

In this work we developed improved bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics for biomedical applications, investigating their in vitro bioactivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial properties against E-Coli. A melt-quenched bioactive glass of the SiO₂-CaO-P₂O₅-MgO system was modified with the addition of 1 and 2 mol% Ag₂O and the 1 mol% Ag₂O-containing glasses were then heat treated to produce glass-ceramics. Surface modifications after soaking in SBF and ionic concentration changes showed that addition of silver and crystallization did not affect bioactivity although crystalline phases promoted a decrease in the degradation rate.Biocompatibility of all Ag-containing glasses and glass-ceramics was confirmed for certain samples concentrations. The antibacterial activity of the glasses against E-Coli was generally improved with decreasing particle size or increasing Ag₂O. The Ag-containing glass-ceramics with higher content of crystalline phase appears as a promising biocompatible biocidal material with potential applications in bone-related diseases.     

Structural characterization and evaluation of antibacterial and angiogenic potential of gallium-containing melt-derived and gel-derived glasses from CaO-SiO2 system

Gallium-containing glasses were synthesized by the sol-gel and traditional melting techniques to obtain bioactive amorphous materials with antibacterial and angiogenic properties. The influence of gallium ion addition on glass structure was described using two spectroscopic methods (FTIR and ²⁹Si MAS NMR). DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) analysis revealed differences in thermal properties, which were explained by varying ionicity of the chemical bonds. The study shows that gallium ions addition causes a significant difference in glass structure and, as a consequence, in thermal properties, microstructure, and biological response. Dissolution products of the researched glasses incubated in SBF and distillated water were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To perform the indirect in vitro biocompatibility studies, human osteoblast-like cells (MG-63) were cultivated in the supernatants, which were obtained by incubation of the glass powders in the cell culture medium. The evaluation of the potential angiogenic properties of gallium-doped glasses was performed by measuring the release of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from MG-63 cells. Dissolution products of the all samples were tested for antibacterial activity against gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus).     

Silver-coated wool yarns with durable antibacterial properties

The use of fabrics with antibacterial properties for commodity applications can provide numerous advantages such as a reduction in the release of odors due to bacterial proliferation in sweat and a reduction in the development of skin hypersensitivity reactions due to microorganisms trapped into the fabrics. Silver is one of the most effective antibacterial agents used for the high degree of biocompatibility and for its long-term antibacterial effectiveness against many different bacterial strains. In this study, an innovative technique for the deposition of nanosilver antibacterial coating on woolen fiber was analyzed. In particular, fabrics woven with different percentages of silver-treated fibers were compared to determine the best ratio preserving the antibacterial activity and optimizing the cost-effectiveness of the final product. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a uniform distribution of silver nanoclusters on the fibers. The impressive silver coating stability and durability were demonstrated after several washing cycles through thermogravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the silver-treated substrates was evaluated by antibacterial tests on Escherichia coli. A very strong antibacterial activity was found even in presence of the lower silver content; therefore, a blend of coated and uncoated fibers is proposed for practical applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Preparation,surface properties,and antibacterial activity of a poly(dimethyl siloxane) network containing a quaternary ammonium salt side chain

To obtain a copolymer network with low surface energy and antibacterial properties, a series of hydroxyl‐terminated poly(dimethyl siloxane)s (PDMSs) modified by a quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) side chain was synthesized via hydrolytic polycondensation and quaternization. The structures of the intermediate and final products were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. The results show that each step was successfully carried out, and objective products were obtained. The modified PDMSs were crosslinked with a commercial polyisocyanate to obtain cured QAS‐modified PDMS coatings. The target functional coatings exhibited excellent antibacterial performance with a low surface energy. When the molar content of QAS in PDMS was varied from 10 to 30%, the critical surface energy of the coatings remained in the range 24.05–26.88 mN/m; this indicated that the coatings had minimal adhesion with fouling according to the Baier curve. The bactericidal tests showed that the antibacterial activity was independent of the PDMS molecular weight but was closely correlated with the QAS content in PDMS. The bactericidal rate of the coatings to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was higher than 97% when the molar content of QAS in PDMS was above 20%. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41725.     

Gamma irradiation synthesis and characterization of AgNP/gelatin/PVA hydrogels for antibacterial wound dressings

An antibacterial hydrogel wound dressing was successfully synthesized by the gamma irradiation method. A gelatin solution was mixed with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution of similar concentrations at different weight ratios of 100 : 0, 80 : 20, and 60 : 40 w/w, and irradiated at 30, 40, or 50 kGy. The testing of physical properties showed that the addition of PVA could improve both durability and mechanical integrity. The 60 : 40 hydrogels irradiated at 30 kGy were optimal, and chosen to add silver nitrate at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 wt % (based on the solid content) to improve the antibacterial properties. After gamma irradiation, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were formed. The AgNP/gelatin/PVA hydrogels were characterized for physical properties, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity. The AgNP/gelatin/PVA hydrogels could be used as antibacterial wound dressings because they exhibited appropriate physical properties, noncytotoxicity, and could inhibit the growth of tested bacteria. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41138.     

Adsorption and antibacterial activity of silver‐dispersed carbon aerogels

Silver‐dispersed carbon aerogels (Ag/CAs) were obtained by the direct immersion of organic aerogels in aqueous AgNO₃ solutions and then carbonization of the resulting material under a nitrogen atmosphere. The adsorption and antibacterial activity of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on Ag/CAs were studied by the measurement of the amount of viable bacteria in suspensions and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. The adsorbed amount of bacteria on samples without silver increased with an increase in the carbonization temperature and contact time. SEM studies showed that the adsorption capacity of Ag/CAs decreased with an increase in the silver content; this was considered to be mainly due to the dissolution behavior of bacteria by silver ions. The antibacterial test showed that 2.5 mg of Ag/CAs with more than 3.6% Ag could inhibit the growth of 10⁵ cfu/mL E. coli in 10 mL of a Mueller–Hinton broth culture, but in the case of S. aureus, 10‐mg samples just got the same antibacterial effect. An antibacterial persistency test showed that 25 mg of Ag/CAs with 6.5% Ag could kill 50 mL of 10⁵ cfu/mL E. coli eight times. These results indicate that Ag/CAs possess strong and long‐term antibacterial activity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1030–1037, 2006