Facilely green synthesis of silver nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose

A facile "Green Synthesis'' method was used to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers, using BC as both the reducing and protecting agents with different concentration of AgNO3 (from 0.001 to 1 M) at 0.103 MPa pressure, 121 degrees C for 10 min without any other chemicals. The structures and properties of AgNPs/BCwere characterized by UV-Visible spectral analysis, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The results showed that the AgNPs were spherical or nearly spherical with the face-centred cubic geometry and distributed uniformly in the three-dimensional network structure of BC with the size of about 40-60 nm. The silver content and release of silver ions were determined by ICP. With the increase of AgNO3 concentration, the content of silver increased from 16 to 115 mg/100 cm(2) and the release of silver ions can be controlled by using different concentration of AgNO3. The antimicrobial activities of AgNPs/BC membranes against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were estimated by the AATCC Test Method 100-2004. According to these results, it is anticipated that the AgNPs/BC nanocomposites can be applied to the antimicrobial wound dressings and implant materials.