BIODEGRADABLE PLGA MATRIX NANOCOMPOSITE WITH SILVER NANOPARTICLES:MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND BACTERIA ACTIVITY

Poly(DL-Lactide-co-Glycolide) (PLGA) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles nanocomposite films were produced by solvent casting using concentrations of Ag at 1 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt% with respect to the PLGA matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations were performed to evaluate the nanohybrid morphology and the nanoparticle dispersion. Thermal properties were investigated by thermogravimetry (TGA). Surface properties were investigated by contact angle and optical absorption measurements. The results of the morphological analysis reveal that silver nanoparticles are able to induce changes of the polymer surface properties, increasing roughness and contact angle. The upper surface of the nanocomposites is characterized by a uniform round porous structure with pore diameter in the order of 10μm. The nanocomposite antibacterial activity as a function of nanoparticle content was tested against Escherichia coli bacteria. Results have been interpreted in terms of the assessed capacity of Ag nanoparticles to affect the bacteria adherence and growth on the tested nanocomposite surfaces that can be correlated with Ag loadings in the range analyzed, offering new perspectives in preventing biomaterial-associated infections