A Novel AgNPs/Sericin/Agar Film with Enhanced Mechanical Property and Antibacterial Capability
Yejing Wang1,2, Rui Cai3, Gang Tao4
1College of Biotechnology, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, China. yjwang@swu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Silk sericin is a protein from a silkworm's cocoon. It has good biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, bioactivity, and biodegradability. However, sericin could not be used in biomedical materials directly because of its frangible characteristic. To develop multifunctional sericin-based materials for biomedical purposes, we prepared a sericin/agar (SS/agar) composite film through the blending of sericin and agar and repetitive freeze-thawing. Then, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in situ on the surface of the composite film to endow it with antibacterial activity. Water contact angle, swelling and losing ratio, and mechanical properties analysis indicated that the composite film had excellent mechanical property, hydrophilicity, hygroscopicity, and stability. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the successful modification of AgNPs on the composite film. X-ray powder diffraction showed the face-centered cubic structures of the AgNPs. This AgNPs modified composite film exhibited an excellent antibacterial capability against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Our study develops a novel AgNPs/sericin/agar composite film with enhanced mechanical performance and an antimicrobial property for potential biomedical applications.
More Related Videos
06:42Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: September 27, 2024
07:40Production of Metal Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser-ablation in Liquids: A Tool for Studying the Antibacterial Properties of Nanoparticles
Published on: June 2, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Properties of Transition Metals
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
