This review discusses the methods of the nanofabrication of metal-polymer composites, especially those based on silver nanostructures. The advantages of composites based on biocompatible polymer matrix, as well as their modifications with suitable techniques are broadly discussed. Different forms of silver nanostructures are reviewed with special emphasis on their antimicrobial activity. Mechanisms of the antimicrobial action of the silver nanostructures are summarized together with proposed ways of passing through the cell wall and processes triggered in cellular environment.
The use of untreated medical devices (catheters, endotracheal tubes) can lead to hospital-acquired infections. Antibacterial coatings of biocompatible polymers may reduce the risk of such infections. Silver nanolayers of different thickness were sputtered on polyimide (PI) and investigated both before and after thermal annealing. The electrical continuity of the layers was examined by sheet resistance. After sputtering, the layers become electrically continuous from an effective thickness of 11 nm. However, atomic force microscopy showed that the surface of the annealed samples underwent significant changes; they were transformed into discrete nanoislands and lost continuity completely. This phenomenon was supported by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy which showed that the amount of Ag was reduced. The antibacterial properties of the as-sputtered and annealed samples were investigated by gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains. The inhibition of bacterial strains increased significantly after annealing. In general, our results suggest that Ag nanostructures are promising antibacterial coatings for polymeric medical devices.
- Klíčová slova
- Kapton®,
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky MeSH
- biofilmy MeSH
- cévní protézy MeSH
- imidy MeSH
- katétry MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nanostruktury * MeSH
- polymery MeSH
- stříbro * terapeutické užití MeSH
- termoregulace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
