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15 pages, 3062 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Titanium–Silver Monolayer and Multilayer Films for Protective Applications in Biomedical Devices

by Sebastián Mina-Aponzá, Sandra Patricia Castro-Narváez, Luz Dary Caicedo-Bejarano and Franklin Bermeo-Acosta

Molecules 2021, 26(16), 4813; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26164813 - 09 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

The search for coatings that extend the useful life of biomedical devices has been of great interest, and titanium has been of great relevance due to its innocuousness and low reactivity. This study contributes to the investigation of Ti/Ag films in different configurations [...] Read more.

The search for coatings that extend the useful life of biomedical devices has been of great interest, and titanium has been of great relevance due to its innocuousness and low reactivity. This study contributes to the investigation of Ti/Ag films in different configurations (monolayer and multilayer) deposited by magnetron sputtering. The sessile droplet technique was applied to study wettability; greater film penetrability was obtained when Ag is the external layer, conferring high efficiency in cell adhesion. The morphological properties were characterized by SEM, which showed porous nuclei on the surface in the Ag coating and crystals embedded in the Ti film. The structural properties were studied by XRD, revealing the presence of TiO₂ in the anatase crystalline phase in a proportion of 49.9% and the formation of a silver cubic network centered on the faces. Tafel polarization curves demonstrated improvements in the corrosion current densities of Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti and Ti/Ag compared to the Ag coating, with values of 0.1749, 0.4802, and 2.044 nA.m⁻², respectively. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis and the yeasts Candida krusei and Candida albicans, revealing that the Ti/Ag and Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti/Ag/Ti coatings exhibit promise in biomedical material applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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15 pages, 3879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Co-Solvent Nature and Acid Concentration in the Size and Morphology of Wrinkled Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Applications

by Jessica Andrea Flood-Garibay and Miguel A. Méndez-Rojas

Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4186; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26144186 - 09 Jul 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3477

Abstract

Hierarchically porous materials, such as wrinkled mesoporous silica (WMS), have gained interest in the last couple of decades, because of their wide range of applications in fields such as nanomedicine, energy, and catalysis. The mechanism of formation of these nanostructures is not fully [...] Read more.

Hierarchically porous materials, such as wrinkled mesoporous silica (WMS), have gained interest in the last couple of decades, because of their wide range of applications in fields such as nanomedicine, energy, and catalysis. The mechanism of formation of these nanostructures is not fully understood, despite various groups reporting very comprehensive studies. Furthermore, achieving particle diameters of 100 nm or less has proven difficult. In this study, the effects on particle size, pore size, and particle morphology of several co-solvents were evaluated. Additionally, varying concentrations of acid during synthesis affected the particle sizes, yielding particles smaller than 100 nm. The morphology and physical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Homogeneous and spherical WMS, with the desired radial wrinkle morphology and particle sizes smaller than 100 nm, were obtained. The effect of the nature of the co-solvents and the concentration of acid are explained within the frame of previously reported mechanisms of formation, to further elucidate this intricate process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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11 pages, 3844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optical Properties of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Load and Release on Silica Nanoparticle Platform

by Trong Nghia Nguyen, Thi Thuy Nguyen, Thi Ha Lien Nghiem, Duc Toan Nguyen, Thi Thu Ha Tran, Duong Vu, Thi Bich Ngoc Nguyen, Thi Minh Huyen Nguyen, Van Tien Nguyen and Minh Hue Nguyen

Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3968; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26133968 - 29 Jun 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3083

Abstract

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) synthesized by the Stober method were used as drug delivery vehicles. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl) is a chemo-drug absorbed onto the SiO₂ NPs surfaces. The DOX·HCl loading onto and release from the SiO₂ NPs was monitored via [...] Read more.

Silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) synthesized by the Stober method were used as drug delivery vehicles. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl) is a chemo-drug absorbed onto the SiO₂ NPs surfaces. The DOX·HCl loading onto and release from the SiO₂ NPs was monitored via UV-VIS and fluorescence spectra. Alternatively, the zeta potential was also used to monitor and evaluate the DOX·HCl loading process. The results showed that nearly 98% of DOX·HCl was effectively loaded onto the SiO₂ NPs’ surfaces by electrostatic interaction. The pH-dependence of the process wherein DOX·HCl release out of DOX·HCl-SiO₂ NPs was investigated as well. For comparison, both the free DOX·HCl molecules and DOX·HCl-SiO₂ NPs were used as the labels for cultured cancer cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images showed that the DOX·HCl-SiO₂ NPs were better delivered to cancer cells which are more acidic than healthy cells. We propose that engineered DOX·HCl-SiO₂ systems are good candidates for drug delivery and clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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14 pages, 5328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Poly(ester urethane urea)/Polydioxanone Blends: Electrospun Fibrous Meshes and Films

by Kiran R. Adhikari, Inessa Stanishevskaya, Pablo C. Caracciolo, Gustavo A. Abraham and Vinoy Thomas

Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3847; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26133847 - 24 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2220

Abstract

In this work, we report the electrospinning and mechano-morphological characterizations of scaffolds based on blends of a novel poly(ester urethane urea) (PHH) and poly(dioxanone) (PDO). At the optimized electrospinning conditions, PHH, PDO and blend PHH/PDO in Hexafluroisopropanol (HFIP) solution yielded bead-free non-woven random [...] Read more.

In this work, we report the electrospinning and mechano-morphological characterizations of scaffolds based on blends of a novel poly(ester urethane urea) (PHH) and poly(dioxanone) (PDO). At the optimized electrospinning conditions, PHH, PDO and blend PHH/PDO in Hexafluroisopropanol (HFIP) solution yielded bead-free non-woven random nanofibers with high porosity and diameter in the range of hundreds of nanometers. The structural, morphological, and biomechanical properties were investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, and tensile tests. The blended scaffold showed an elastic modulus (~5 MPa) with a combination of the ultimate tensile strength (2 ± 0.5 MPa), and maximum elongation (150% ± 44%) in hydrated conditions, which are comparable to the materials currently being used for soft tissue applications such as skin, native arteries, and cardiac muscles applications. This demonstrates the feasibility of an electrospun PHH/PDO blend for cardiac patches or vascular graft applications that mimic the nanoscale structure and mechanical properties of native tissue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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16 pages, 3551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simultaneous Grafting Polymerization of Acrylic Acid and Silver Aggregates Formation by Direct Reduction Using γ Radiation onto Silicone Surface and Their Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility

by Marlene A. Velazco-Medel, Luis A. Camacho-Cruz, Héctor Magaña, Kenia Palomino and Emilio Bucio

Molecules 2021, 26(10), 2859; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26102859 - 12 May 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2672

Abstract

The modification of medical devices is an area that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years; particularly, those developments which search to modify existing devices to render them antimicrobial. Most of these modifications involve at least two stages (modification of the [...] Read more.

The modification of medical devices is an area that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years; particularly, those developments which search to modify existing devices to render them antimicrobial. Most of these modifications involve at least two stages (modification of the base material with a polymer graft and immobilization of an antimicrobial agent) which are both time-consuming and complicate synthetic procedures; therefore, as an improvement, this project sought to produce antimicrobial silicone (PDMS) in a single step. Using gamma radiation as both an energy source for polymerization initiation and as a source of reducing agents in solution, PDMS was simultaneously grafted with acrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (AAc:EGDMA) while producing antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the surface of the material. To obtain reproducible materials, experimental variables such as the effect of the dose, the intensity of radiation, and the concentration of the silver salt were evaluated, finding the optimal reaction conditions to obtain materials with valuable properties. The characterization of the material was performed using electronic microscopy and spectroscopic techniques such as ¹³C-CPMAS-SS-NMR and FTIR. Finally, these materials demonstrated good antimicrobial activity against S. aureus while retaining good cell viabilities (above 90%) for fibroblasts BALB/3T3. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 1852 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plasmonic Spherical Nanoparticles Coupled with Titania Nanotube Arrays Prepared by Anodization as Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Applications: A Review

by Jorge Jimenez-Cisneros, Juan Pablo Galindo-Lazo, Miguel Angel Mendez-Rojas, Jessica Rosaura Campos-Delgado and Monica Cerro-Lopez

Molecules 2021, 26(24), 7443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26247443 - 08 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3033

Abstract

As surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) continues developing to be a powerful analytical tool for several probes, four important aspects to make it more accessible have to be addressed: low-cost, reproducibility, high sensibility, and recyclability. Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO₂ NTs) prepared by anodization [...] Read more.

As surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) continues developing to be a powerful analytical tool for several probes, four important aspects to make it more accessible have to be addressed: low-cost, reproducibility, high sensibility, and recyclability. Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO₂ NTs) prepared by anodization have attracted interest in this field because they can be used as safe solid supports to deposit metal nanoparticles to build SERS substrate nanoplatforms that meet these four desired aspects. TiO₂ NTs can be easily prepared and, by varying different synthesis parameters, their dimensions and specific features of their morphology can be tuned allowing them to support metal nanoparticles of different sizes that can achieve a regular dispersion on their surface promoting high enhancement factors (EF) and reproducibility. Besides, the TiO₂ photocatalytic properties enable the substrate’s self-cleaning property for recyclability. In this review, we discuss the different methodological strategies that have been tested to achieve a high performance of the SERS substrates based on TiO₂ NTs as solid support for the three main noble metal nanoparticles mainly studied for this purpose: Ag, Au, and Pt. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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25 pages, 6461 KiB

Open AccessReview

Use of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) in Drug Delivery, Photodynamic Therapy and Bioimaging

by Paula Loman-Cortes, Tamanna Binte Huq and Juan L. Vivero-Escoto

Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6453; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26216453 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4648

Abstract

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have attracted considerable attention in the design of novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials with high performance capabilities. Features such as their well-defined nanoscale structure, chemical tunability, and biocompatibility make POSS an ideal building block to fabricate hybrid materials for biomedical [...] Read more.

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have attracted considerable attention in the design of novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials with high performance capabilities. Features such as their well-defined nanoscale structure, chemical tunability, and biocompatibility make POSS an ideal building block to fabricate hybrid materials for biomedical applications. This review highlights recent advances in the application of POSS-based hybrid materials, with particular emphasis on drug delivery, photodynamic therapy and bioimaging. The design and synthesis of POSS-based materials is described, along with the current methods for controlling their chemical functionalization for biomedical applications. We summarize the advantages of using POSS for several drug delivery applications. We also describe the current progress on using POSS-based materials to improve photodynamic therapies. The use of POSS for delivery of contrast agents or as a passivating agent for nanoprobes is also summarized. We envision that POSS-based hybrid materials have great potential for a variety of biomedical applications including drug delivery, photodynamic therapy and bioimaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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14 pages, 1514 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dental Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

by Marco A. Castro-Rojas, Yadira I. Vega-Cantu, Geoffrey A. Cordell and Aida Rodriguez-Garcia

Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4423; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26154423 - 22 Jul 2021

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3974

Abstract

Glass ionomer cements and resin-based composites are promising materials in restorative dentistry. However, their limited mechanical properties and the risk of bulk/marginal fracture compromise their lifespan. Intensive research has been conducted to understand and develop new materials that can mimic the functional behavior [...] Read more.

Glass ionomer cements and resin-based composites are promising materials in restorative dentistry. However, their limited mechanical properties and the risk of bulk/marginal fracture compromise their lifespan. Intensive research has been conducted to understand and develop new materials that can mimic the functional behavior of the oral cavity. Nanotechnological approaches have emerged to treat oral infections and become a part of scaffolds for tissue regeneration. Carbon nanotubes are promising materials to create multifunctional platforms for dental applications. This review provides a comprehensive survey of and information on the status of this state-of-the-art technology and describes the development of glass ionomers reinforced with carbon nanotubes possessing improved mechanical properties. The applications of carbon nanotubes in drug delivery and tissue engineering for healing infections and lesions of the oral cavity are also described. The review concludes with a summary of the current status and presents a vision of future applications of carbon nanotubes in the practice of dentistry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Biomedical Application)

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