J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2020, Vol. 46: 237-247.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.11.019

• Research Article • Previous Articles    

Halloysite nanotubes loaded with nano silver for the sustained-release of antibacterial polymer nanocomposite scaffolds

Wang Guoa,1, Wei Liub,1, Li Xuc, Pei Fenga, Yanru Zhangc, Wenjing Yanga, Cijun Shuaia,d,e,*()   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of High Performance Complex Manufacturing, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
    bDepartment of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
    cSchool of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China
    dInstitute of Bioadditive Manufacturing, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
    eShenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen 518172, China
  • Received:2019-08-03 Revised:2019-11-14 Accepted:2019-11-19 Published:2020-06-01 Online:2020-06-19
  • Contact: Cijun Shuai
  • About author:1These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract:

It is challenging for antibacterial polymer scaffolds to achieve the drug sustained-release through directly coating or blending. In this work, halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), a natural aluminosilicate nanotube, were utilized as a nano container to load nano silver (Ag) into the lumen through vacuum negative-pressure suction & injection and thermal decomposition of silver acetate. Then, the nano Ag loaded HNTs (HNTs@Ag) were introduced to poly-l-lactic acidide) (PLLA) scaffolds prepared by additive manufacturing for the sustained-release of Ag+. Acting like a 'shield', the tube walls of HNTs not only retarded the erosion of external aqueous solution on internal nano Ag to generate Ag+ but also postponed the generated Ag+ to diffuse outward. The results indicated the PLLA-HNTs@Ag nanocomposite scaffolds achieved a sustained-release of Ag+ over 28 days without obvious initial burst release. Moreover, the scaffolds exhibited a long-lasting antibacterial property without compromising the cytocompatibility. Besides, the degradation properties, biomineralization ability and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were increased. This study suggests the potential application of inorganic nanotubes as drug carrier for the sustained-release of functional polymer nanocomposite scaffolds.

Key words: Halloysite nanotubes, Nano silver, Sustained-release, Antibacterial properties, Polymer nanocomposite scaffolds