Dual-Mode Solution Plasma Processing for the Production of Chitosan/Ag Composites with the Antibacterial Effect

Abstract

The development of novel biocompatible and biodegradable materials for medical applications has been drawing significant interest in the scientific community for years. Particularly, chitosan loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has a strong antimicrobial potential and could be applied, for example, as wound dressing material. In this work, chitosan/Ag NP composites were produced utilizing a single-step plasma-solution process, which is simple and environmentally friendly. An acetic solution of chitosan containing AgNO3 was treated by the direct current (DC) atmospheric pressure glow discharge, with the liquid serving as either cathode or anode. The plasma-solution system with liquid anode is more useful for the production of Ag NPs. Nevertheless, the NP size is comparable for both cases. The plasma treatment with both polarities led to chitosan degradation. The cleavage of glucosidic chains mostly occurred in the system with the liquid cathode, whereas the side oxidation reactions took place when the solution served as the anode. The oxidation processes were possibly induced by the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 efficiently formed in the last case. The composite materials produced with both polarities of liquid electrode demonstrated the bactericidal action against Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis.

Factors Influencing the Antibacterial Activity of Chitosan and Chitosan Modified by Functionalization

“…However, for some ions, such as Zn 2+ and Mn 2+ ions, coordination is possible only with the participation of amino groups, either according to the “bridge” model or to the “pendant” model [ 112 , 128 ]. Similar, Ag ions can be used to obtain chitosan-Ag nanocomposites, which present remarkable antibacterial activity [ 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ].…”

“…The synthesizing of metal nanoparticles (e.g., AgNPs) in a chitosan matrix to form nano-biocomposites for biomedical applications is one of the achievements of the last decade [ 130 , 131 , 132 ].…”

A Novel Biodegradable Composite Polymer Material Based on PLGA and Silver Oxide Nanoparticles with Unique Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility with Mammalian Cells

“…Microorganisms can grow, forming biofilms on surface of some biomaterials [94]. We observed that (Figure 10) PLGA, without silver oxide nanoparticles, did not affect E. coli growth.…”

Surface and mechanical characterization of bionanocomposites for advanced applications: A review

“…In a similar study, Titov et al prepared chitosan/AgNPs composite foils and characterized their morphology by backscattered imaging. 24 As shown in Figure 9, AgNPs were well distributed (bright dots), and a smooth surface was obtained. Additionally, partially agglomeration of AgNPs can be detected.…”