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PLGA/Ag nanocomposites: in vitro degradation study and silver ion release

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine volume 22, pages 2735–2744 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

New nanocomposite films based on a biodegradable poly (DL-Lactide-co-Glycolide) copolymer (PLGA) and different concentration of silver nanoparticles (Ag) were developed by solvent casting. In vitro degradation studies of PLGA/Ag nanocomposites were conducted under physiological conditions, over a 5 week period, and compared to the behaviour of the neat polymer. Furthermore the silver ions (Ag+) release upon degradation was monitored to obtain information on the properties of the nanocomposites during the incubation. The obtained results suggest that the PLGA film morphology can be modified introducing a small percentage of silver nanoparticles that do not affect the degradation mechanism of PLGA polymer in the nanocomposite. However results clearly evinced the stabilizing effect of the Ag nanoparticles in the PLGA polymer and the mineralization process induced by the combined effect of silver and nanocomposite surface topography. The Ag+ release can be controlled by the polymer degradation processes, evidencing a prolonged antibacterial effect.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from INSTM.

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Author notes

  1. S. Rinaldi

    Present address: Department of Chemistry, University of Siena, Via A. De Gasperi, 2 (Quartiere di S. Miniato), Siena, 53100, Italy

  2. J. M. Kenny

    Present address: Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, Madrid, Spain

Affiliations

  1. Materials Engineering Centre, UdR INSTM, NIPLAB, University of Perugia, Terni, Italy

    E. Fortunati, J. M. Kenny & I. Armentano

  2. Department of Chemistry and CEMIN, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    L. Latterini & S. Rinaldi

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  1. E. Fortunati
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  5. I. Armentano
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Correspondence to I. Armentano.

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Fortunati, E., Latterini, L., Rinaldi, S. et al. PLGA/Ag nanocomposites: in vitro degradation study and silver ion release. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 22, 2735–2744 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4450-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4450-0

Keywords

  • Silver Nanoparticles
  • Field Emission Scan Electron Microscopy
  • Nanocomposite Film
  • Chain Scission
  • Field Emission Scan Electron Microscopy Image