title: Electrospun alginate nanofibres impregnated with silver nanoparticles: Preparation, morphology and antibacterial properties.
abstract: Silver nanoparticles are amongst the most valuable nanoparticles with interesting properties, such as a non-toxic nature and high antibacterial efficiency, making them applicable for tissue scaffold, protective clothing and wound dressing. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized using chitosan as reducing and stabilizing agent. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-vis, and the TEM showed that different shapes were obtained depending on the heating duration. The chitosan/AgNPs was coated onto an electrospun alginate membrane to produce stable polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanofibre composites with high antibacterial efficiency. These composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). AgNPs were successfully impregnated into the PEC nanofibre composite, while there was complexation between the electrospun alginate and the chitosan/AgNPs composite. PEC demonstrated a good antibacterial activity against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria with acceptable water vapour transmission within the range required for the treatment of injuries or wounds.
authors.affiliation: CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing, Polymers and Composites, Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Phuthaditjhaba, South Africa.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Mokhena
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: aluyt@qu.edu.qa.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Luyt
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D012834:Silver; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Acetic acid (PubChem CID: 176); Antibacterial activity; Calcium chloride (PubChem CID: 5284359); Chitosan; Dimethylsulfoxide (PubChem CID: 24893881); Electrospun alginate; Poly(ethylene oxide) (PubChem CID: 24863166); Polyelectrolyte complex; Silver nanoparticles; Triton™-X100 (PubChem CID: 24889888)