Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of a Silver-Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite

• Main Authors: Marcos Díaz, Flora Barba, Miriam Miranda, Francisco Guitián, Ramón Torrecillas, José S. Moya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2009-01-01
• Series: Journal of Nanomaterials
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/498505

A silver-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite has been obtained by a colloidal chemical route and subsequent reduction process in H2/Ar atmosphere at 350∘C. This material has been characterized by TEM, XRD, and UV-Visible spectroscopy, showing the silver nanoparticles (∼65 nm) supported onto the HA particles (∼130 nm) surface without a high degree of agglomeration. The bactericidal effect against common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria has been also investigated. The results indicated a high antimicrobial activity for Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus and Escherichia coli, so this material can be a promising antimicrobial biomaterial for implant and reconstructive surgery applications.