Effect of precursor on structural and antibacterial behaviour of hydroxyapatite/silver nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Ion substitution in hydroxyapatite (HA) lattice is a promising way to enhance its antibacterial activity and inhibit implant-related infections. In this study, HA/silver (HA/Ag) nanocomposites were synthesised through sol-gel method from two calcium (Ca) and phosphor (P) precursors. Our results showed that, by using P precursor, larger HA particles with higher crystallinity were produced, while Ca progenitor increased nucleation rate and created amorphous particles with smaller size. These findings were further confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Moreover, starting with P precursors shifted the index plasmon peak of Ag to the higher wavelengths (500–550 nm), providing a higher tendency to release Ag⁺ ions and in vitro antibacterial activity at concentration of 800 μg/mL. As a result, this study proved that HA/Ag particles could be synthesised from P precursor with better phase structure and antibacterial activity, developed for biomedical applications especially as a biomimetic coating of bone implants.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydroxyapatite
• precursor
• antibacterial
• silver
• nanocomposite

Acknowledgments

This study was carried out with the help of stem cell and chemical laboratories in Royan Institute for Biotechnology.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.