Electrospinning of Gelatin Functionalized with Silver Na-noparticles for Nanofiber Fabrication

Marwa A. Oraby, Ahmed I. Waley, Ahmed I. El-Dewany, Ebtesam A. Saad, Bothaina M. Abd El-Hady

Biomaterials Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Natural Products Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.
Textile Department, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/mnsms.2013.34013                

Abstract

The present paper deals with gelatin nanofibres functionalized with silver nanoparticles, prepared by electrospinning using solutions of gelatin mixed with silver nitrate (AgNO₃). As a common solvent for gelatin and silver nitrate (AgNO₃), a mixture of acetic acid and water (70:30 v/v) was selected. In this system, acetic acid was used as a solvent for gelatin, and at the same time reducing agent for silver ions in solution. Silver nanoparticles (nAg) were stabilized through a mechanism that involves an interaction of the oxygen atoms of the carbonyl groups of gelatin. The viscosity and the conductivity of the gelatinous solutions were found to increase with the solution concentration. There is an observed decrease in the viscosity of the nAg containing gelatin solutions with the aging time increasing, whereas the conductiity of the AgNO₃—containing gelatin solutions was greater than that of the base gelatin solution. The gelatin nanofibres functionalized with silver nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and antimicrobial test. The results of investigations by TEM and XRD confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles with diameters in the range of (2 - 10 nm), uniformly distributed over the surface of smooth nanofibres with an average diameter of 70 nm. The release of silver ions from both the 2- and 4-hrs crosslinked nAg containing gelatin fiber mats by a total immersion method in buffer and distilled water occurred rapidly during the first 60 minutes, and increased gradually afterwards. Lastly, the tests demonstrated that gelatin/Ag nanofibers have a good antimicrobial activity against some common bacteria found on burned wounds. The anti-bacterial activity of these materials was greatest against Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa ≈ Candida albicans.

Keywords

Electrospinning; Gelatin; Silver; Nanofibers; Nanoparticles; Antimicrobial Activity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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