Effect of Plasma Modification of Copper Nanoparticles on their Antibacterial Properties

Abstract

Surface modification of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) was performed in a radiofrequency plasma reactor using acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate monomers. Treated and untreated CuNPs were analyzed by thermogravimetrical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The oxidation of CuNPs was assessed by XRD as a function of the plasma treatment. The antibacterial properties of plasma treated CuNPs were evaluated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that the plasma modification did not affect significantly the antibacterial properties of CuNPs, since the plasma films deposited on their surfaces were in the order of few nanometers and copper ions traveled easily through the plasma polymer to interact with the bacteria. Further, the nanocoating deposited by plasma on the CuNPs protects them against the oxidation even in solution dispersions. CuNPs coated with acrylonitrile presented a slightly lower antibacterial activity than pristine CuNPs.

Antibacterial Activity and Cytocompatibility of Bone Cement Enriched with Antibiotic, Nanosilver, and Nanocopper for Bone Regeneration

“…The BCs containing nanoCu or both nanometals have not been investigated yet. Some investigations of nanoCu in polymer matrices and its bactericidal properties are consistent with the present results (Table 2) [80,81,82].…”

Trends on Synthesis of Polymeric Nanocomposites Based on Green Chemistry

“…The results showed that the films had a bactericidal effect against Grampositive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa [120]. Similarly, other work has shown that the use of acrylic acid coatings on Cu NPs does not affect their biocidal properties [121]. This fact is relevant, because on the one hand the surface treatment of NPs does not inhibit their biocidal properties and, on the other hand, they have the capacity to have good interfacial adhesion with the polymeric matrices, thus generating multifunctional properties of PNCs.…”

Evolving Technologies and Strategies for Combating Antibacterial Resistance in the Advent of the Postantibiotic Era

“…In addition to the use of CAP as implant coatings, CAP have been used to enhance the antibacterial properties of CuO‐NPs by enhancing their biocompatibility as well as antibacterial activity by achieving thin layers of various polymers on their surface. This prevents the oxidation of metallic NP, and allows the diffusion of metal ions that will act as antimicrobials primarily with the additional dispersing effect of the plasma‐polymerized surface modifications 142,143. Therefore, CAP treatment is ascribed to ease the preparation of antibacterial coatings and enhancing the impact that can be employed as preventive strategies for the bacterial infections.…”