Antibiofouling, sustained antibiotic release by Si nanowire templates

Loading or filling nanostructures with antibiotics can be one of the relevant approaches for obtaining a controlled drug release rate. Vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays with 10-40 nm diameter wires having 1-3 microm in length obtained by the electroless etching (EE) technique are used in this study as novel nanostructures for mediating drug delivery. Here we report controlled antibiotic activity and sustained bioavailability from SiNW arrays and also show microstructural manipulations for a tunable release rate. As well, we have demonstrated biodegradability of SiNWs in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution. Strikingly suppressed cell and protein adhesion was observed on our SiNW surface, which indicates a reduced probability for biofouling and drug release impediments. Such antibiotic release from the nanowire-structured surface can provide more reliable antibiotic protection at a targeted implantation or biosensor site.