Preparation and Characterization of AgNPs In Situ Synthesis on Polyelectrolyte Membrane Coated Sericin/Agar Film for Antimicrobial Applications

Abstract

Antibacterial materials are of great importance in preventing bacterial adhesion and reproduction in daily life. Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial nanomaterial that has attracted significant attentions for its ability to endow natural materials with antibacterial ability. Silk sericin (SS) has a great advantage for biomaterial application, as it is a natural protein with excellent hydrophilicity and biodegradability. In this study, we prepared AgNPs and polyelectrolyte membrane (PEM) modified SS/Agar films through the layer-by-layer adsorption technique and ultraviolet-assisted AgNPs synthesis method. The film was well characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Other properties such as water contact angle, wettability and tensile strength, the release of silver were also studied. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs-PEM-SS/Agar film was investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as the model microorganisms by the inhibition zone and bacterial growth curve assays. The results suggested that the AgNPs-PEM-SS/Agar film had excellent mechanical performance, high hydrophilicity, prominent water absorption ability, as well as outstanding and durable antibacterial activity. Therefore, the prepared novel AgNPs-PEM-SS/Agar composite film is proposed as a potentially favorable antibacterial biomaterial for biomedical applications.

Rational Design of Ag/ZnO Hybrid Nanoparticles on Sericin/Agarose Composite Film for Enhanced Antimicrobial Applications

“…Young’s modulus also indicated the same result ( Figure 5 d). In general, the addition of ZnO and AgNPs improved the mechanical properties of the MPAZ film, which can meet the requirements of biomaterials to a certain extent [ 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Polydopamine-Assisted Silver Nanoparticle Self-Assembly on Sericin/Agar Film for Potential Wound Dressing Application

“…Agar is a macromolecular polysaccharide with hydrophilic, biocompatible and biodegradable ability [ 18 ]. In our previous study, we developed sericin/agar composite film modified with AgNPs to expand the application of sericin-based biomaterials [ 19 , 20 ]. AgNPs are synthesized with the assistance of ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation.…”

Polydopamine-Based Surface Modification of ZnO Nanoparticles on Sericin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Film for Antibacterial Application

“…Natural silk produced by silkworm is composed of two parts: the outer part of silk collagen composition, known as sericin, and the inner part of core glial protein, known as silk fibroin [4,5]. Sericin is well known for having skin moisturizing properties as it has lots of amino acids with strong polar groups [6,7]. Sericin has huge potential in biomaterial applications due to its admirable hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability [7].…”

“…Sericin is well known for having skin moisturizing properties as it has lots of amino acids with strong polar groups [6,7]. Sericin has huge potential in biomaterial applications due to its admirable hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability [7]. More than 50,000 tons of sericin are discarded in waste water each year worldwide [8], causing an enormous waste of natural resources and environmental pollution.…”