abstract
An in situ synthesis method for preparing silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) embedded in chitosan-polyethylene glycol (CS-PEG) membranes is disclosed. The aim is to develop implantable multifunctional devices for biofilm inhibition and drug release to reduce percutaneous device related complications (PDRCs). A multiple array of characterization techniques confirmed the formation of fluorescent AgNCs with sizes of similar to 3 nm uniformly distributed in CS-PEG matrix and their active role in determining the fraction and interconnectivity of the microporous membranes. The presence and increasing contents of AgNCs enhanced the mechanical stability of membranes and decreased their susceptibility to degradation in the presence of lysozyme and H2O2. Moreover, the presence and increasing concentrations of AgNCs hindered biofilm formation against Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive) and enabled a sustainable release of an anti-inflammatory drug naproxen in vitro until 24 h. The overall results gathered and reported in this work make the AgNCs impregnated CS-PEG membranes highly promising multifunctional devices combining efficient antibacterial activity and biocompatibility with active local drug delivery.
keywords
HYDROGELS; NANOPARTICLES; FILMS; GOLD; NANOCOMPOSITE; BIOMATERIALS; PROSTHETICS; MOLECULES; INFECTION; SURFACES
subject category
Chemistry; Materials Science
authors
Mishra, SK; Raveendran, S; Ferreira, JMF; Kannan, S
our authors
José Maria da Fonte Ferreira
Retired Professoracknowledgements
The financial assistance received from Department of Science and Technology, DST [Reference: SB/FT/CS-101/2012(SR)], India is acknowledged. The facilities availed from Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) of Pondicherry University is also acknowledged. The characterization facilities availed from IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore under INUP which is sponsored by DeitY, MCIT, Government of India is gratefully acknowledged. The support of CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE 2020) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is acknowledged.