Enhanced dissolution of silver nanoparticles in a physical mixture with platinum nanoparticles based on the sacrificial anode effect.

A strategy to reduce implant-related infections is the inhibition of the initial bacterial implant colonization by biomaterials containing silver (Ag). The antimicrobial efficacy of such biomaterials can be increased by surface enhancement (nanosilver) or by creating a sacrificial anode system for Ag. Such a system will lead to an electrochemically driven enhanced Ag ion release due to the presence of a more noble metal. Here we combined the enlarged surface of nanoparticles (NP) with a possible sacrificial anode effect for Ag induced by the presence of the electrochemically more noble platinum (Pt) in physical mixtures of Ag NP and Pt NP dispersions. These Ag NP/Pt NP mixtures were compared to the same amounts of pure Ag NP in terms of cell biological responses, i.e. the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as the viability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). In addition, Ag NP was analyzed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was found that the dissolution rate of Ag NP was enhanced in the presence of Pt NP within the physical mixture compared to a dispersion of pure Ag NP. Dissolution experiments revealed a fourfold increased Ag ion release from physical mixtures due to enhanced electrochemical activity, which resulted in a significantly increased toxicity towards both bacteria and hMSC. Thus, our results provide evidence for an underlying sacrificial anode mechanism induced by the presence of Pt NP within physical mixtures with Ag NP. Such physical mixtures have a high potential for various applications, for example as antimicrobial implant coatings in the biomedicine or as bactericidal systems for water and surface purification in the technical area.

Bimetallic silver-platinum nanoparticles with combined osteo-promotive and antimicrobial activity.

Bimetallic alloyed silver-platinum nanoparticles (AgPt NP) with different metal composition from Ag10Pt90 to Ag90Pt10 in steps of 20 mol% were synthesized. The biological effects of AgPt NP, including cellular uptake, cell viability, osteogenic differentiation and osteoclastogenesis as well as the antimicrobial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were analyzed in comparison to pure Ag NP and pure Pt NP. The uptake of NP into human mesenchymal stem cells was confirmed by cross-sectional focused-ion beam preparation and observation by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. Lower cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity were observed for AgPt NP compared to pure Ag NP. Thus, an enhanced Ag ion release due to a possible sacrificial anode effect was not achieved. Nevertheless, a Ag content of at least 50 mol% was sufficient to induce bactericidal effects against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In addition, a Pt-related (≥50 mol% Pt) osteo-promotive activity on human mesenchymal stem cells was observed by enhanced cell calcification and alkaline phosphatase activity. In contrast, the osteoclastogenesis of rat primary precursor osteoclasts was inhibited. In summary, these results demonstrate a combinatory osteo-promotive and antimicrobial activity of bimetallic Ag50Pt50 NP.

Nanophase-separated amphiphilic conetworks as versatile matrixes for optical chemical and biochemical sensors.

As a novel class of sensor matrixes, nanophase-separated amphiphilic polymeric conetworks (APCNs) open a new dimension for optical chemical and biochemical sensing. These conetworks consist of a hydrophilic phase-we used poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate), poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate), or polycationic poly(2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl acrylate)-and of a hydrophobic phase-poly(dimethylsiloxane). Sensors can be prepared by simple impregnation of the matrix. Due to nanophase separation, there is a spatial separation between areas in which the indicator reagents are well immobilized and areas that advantageously take care of the diffusive transport of the analyte, whereby these functionalities of the contrary phases can be exchanged. Thanks to the huge interface between the contrary phases, the accessibility of the indicator reagents is good, which makes it possible to design sensors with high sensitivity. To demonstrate the advantages of APCNs as matrixes, different prototypes of sensors were prepared, e.g., one to determine gaseous chlorine based on its reaction with immobilized o-tolidine and another to determine vaporous acids based on immobilized bromophenol blue dianions. As a breakthrough in biochemical sensing, we are also able to present an easily producible, optically transparent biochemical sensor to determine peroxides in nonpolar organic media-based on coimmobilized horseradish peroxidase and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate).