Integrated PLGA–Ag nanocomposite systems to control the degradation rate and antibacterial properties

Abstract

Biodegradable polymer based nanocomposite materials have attracted much attention since they can be used for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. In order to have highly integrated PLGA nanocomposite materials, silver colloidal nanoparticles were prepared in chloroform starting from silver nitrate and using polyvinylpyrrolidone as reduction and capping agent. TEM and AFM imaging give information on the size distribution of the silver nucleus (7.0 nm) and the capping shell (8.2-10.7 nm). PLGA-Ag nanocomposites were prepared upon addition of 1 or 3% wt of silver nanoparticles to the PLGA/chloroform suspension. The effect of silver loading on polymer degradation was studied following the mass loss and the morphology of nanocomposite films at different degradation stages. The concentrations of Ag 1 , which is released during nanocomposite degradation, were monitored and analyzed through the diffusion model, to have insight on the degradation kinetics. The release rate, and likely the degradation rate, was reduced at higher silver loading. Bacterial growth tests indicated that the cell growth is inhibited in the presence of PLGA-Ag nanocomposites and the efficiency is correlated to Ag 1 release. Thus, controlling the nanoparticle loading, a tunable degradation and antibacterial action can be designed.

Silver nanoparticle incorporated poly(l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanofibers: Evaluation of their biocompatibility and antibacterial properties

“…The presence of 3 wt % of AgNPs in PLGA matrix showed higher biocompatibility with HDF, with positive attribute towards antibacterial properties. This results are in accordance with the results demonstrated by Rinaldi et al . where they combined AgNPs with PLGA shells in the form of composite nanocapsules.…”

Tunable release of silver nanoparticles from temperature-responsive polymer blends

“…Optionally, release of AgNPs can be based on their entrapping into biodegradable polymer, gradually degraded with time [29]. In these cases creation of pores or gradual material degradation during soaking occurs and AgNPs are leached [30,31]. Very promising possibility is silver immobilization in smart polymers, which can undergo phase transition under external stimuli.…”

Characterization and disintegrability under composting conditions of PLA-based nanocomposite films with thymol and silver nanoparticles

“…However, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) was observed for PLA-based active nanocomposites with thymol and Ag-NPs, suggesting some loss in the PLA thermal stability. This phenomenon could be related with some degradation of these materials during processing caused by the presence of metal nanoparticles, which enhanced the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites, speeding up the degradation process of the polymeric matrix [37].…”