Anchorig of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles to polycapronlacton fiber matrix for medical application

Abstract

This diploma thesis focuses on the mechanisms involved in the formation of silver nanoparticles by biosynthesis. Here, the electro-spraying method was employed with poly(vinyl alcohol), and this was combined with silver nanoparticles on a poly(ε caprolacton) fibrous material. The theoretical part of the thesis describes the preparation and antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles and their incorporation in polymeric droplets by electrostatic spraying. These processes were conducted to prove the hypothesis that fibrous materials combined with silver nanoparticles have great possibility for application in medicine and especially in wound dressings. The experimental part then demonstrates how silver nanoparticles are prepared by the chosen organic compound - maleic acid - with concentration gradient. This is followed by the attachment of polymeric droplets, and final mixing of the polymer with nanoparticles on the fibrous matrix by electro-spraying. The analyses used to characterise the prepared silver nanoparticles and fibrous materials include electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering. These confirmed that the silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesised, and they were then subjected to antibacterial and cytotoxicity testing to illustrate their worth in the biomedical field. Finally, the electrostatic spraying of poly(vinyl alcohol) and its mixture with silver nanoparticles for attachment to the prepared poly(ε-caprolacton) fibrous matrix was evaluated. This also proved successful and, most importantly, it produced no cytotoxic effect.