3D printed antimicrobial PLA constructs functionalised with zinc- coated halloysite nanotubes-Ag-chitosan oligosaccharide lactate

ABSTRACT

S. aureus and S. epidermidis are the most common bacteria responsible for causing implant infections. We propose that 3D-printed antimicrobial biomedical devices are a rational solution for the prevention of infection. 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) constructs were alkali-treated to increase hydrophilicity and functionalized using a suspension of Zinc/HNTs-Ag-Chitosan Oligosaccharide Lactate (ZnHNTs-Ag-COS). PLA constructs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antimicrobial potential was assessed using agar diffusion and biofilm assays. The surface of 3D printed PLA constructs were chemically modified to increase hydrophilicity and suspensions of COS-ZnHNTs-Ag were adsorbed on the construct surface. Surface adsorption of ZnHNTs-Ag-COS on PLA printed constructs was determined to be a function of relative pore size. Morphological surface characterization confirmed the presence of the suspension coatings on the constructs, and FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of COS-ZnHNTs-Ag coatings. Growth inhibition studies validated the antimicrobial properties of PLA constructs.

KEYWORDS:

• 3D printing
• chitosan
• functionalization
• halloysite nanotubes
• metal nanoparticles
• antimicrobial
• zinc
• silver

Acknowledgments

A.H. and Y.L. thank D.K.M. (PI) for advice and guidance. Mr. Davis Bailey and Dr. Sven Eklund for equipment training.

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding assistance provided by the Center for Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Tissue & Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR) with the support of NIH NIDCR (U24DE026914) and support provided by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under grant number P20 GM103424-17 DOD 301-662-5127.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

The authors all contributed to the writing of the manuscript. A.H., Y.L. and AE conducted the experiments under the direction of D.K.M. All authors reviewed and analyzed the data.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network [P20 GM103424-17]; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research [NIDCR (U24DE026914)].