Dual-Function Polymer–Silver Nanocomposites for Rapid Killing of Microbes and Inhibiting Biofilms

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Abstract
Polymer-silver nanocomposites have emerged as an integral weapon to combat device-related infections. However, synthesis of the nanocomposites still remains a major challenge that often involves two-step process in which silver nanoparticles are synthesized ex-situ. Additionally, polymers used in the nanocomposites are commonly not antimicrobial and biodegradable thus often lack bioactivity and biocompatibility. Herein we report highly active dual-function polymer-silver nanocomposites consisting of an inherently antimicrobial and biodegradable polymer in one-pot. A simple method of in-situ reduction of a silver salt was employed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (5-15 nm) from silver para-toluenesulfonate in which the intrinsically biodegradable and antimicrobial polymer N,N-dimethyhexadecyl ammonium chitin tosylate acted as reducing as well as stabilizing agent. The nanocomposite with the water-insoluble and organo-soluble polymer was simply painted onto surfaces via facile non-covalent immobilization. Notably, composite-coated surfaces inactivated both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacteria including pathogenic fungi at a much faster rate than polymer alone. The composites released active silver ions over an extended period of time and displayed remarkably long-lasting activity. In addition, surfaces coated with composites effectively inhibited both bacterial and fungal biofilm formation. Further upon coating on catheter, the nanocomposites reduced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) burden both on catheter (>99.99% reduction) and in tissues surrounding the catheter (>99.999% reduction) in a mice model. These novel nanomaterials which showed negligible hemolysis towards human erythrocytes might be used as safe and effective antimicrobial coatings in biomedical device applications.
Funding Information
  • Anusandhan National Research Foundation (SR/FT/Cs-097/2009)
  • Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology (INT/PORTUGAL/P-12/2013)
  • Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia (INT/PORTUGAL/P-12/2013)

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