Preparation and antibacterial activities of silver nanoparticle-loaded hydroxyapatite/collagen bone-like nanocomposite

A hydroxyapatite/collagen bone-like nanocomposite (HAp/Col) loaded with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was prepared by immersion of HAp/Col powder in the AgNPs solution. The adsorption-desorption properties on the preparation process were investigated, followed by the evaluation of antibacterial activities and cytotoxicity. Adsorption of AgNPs on HAp/Col powder was almost finished at 240 min after mixing. Adsorption isotherm revealed that maximum adsorption amount was 1621.9 mg/g with the best fitted model, Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption model. The AgNPs-loaded HAp/Col membrane prepared by immersion into 1.6 µg/mL and 6.3 µg/mL AgNPs colloidal solution demonstrated no survival of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Using human osteoblastic cell line, MG-63, no significant cytotoxicity was observed for the AgNPs-loaded HAp/Col membrane prepared with 6.3–12.5 µg/mL AgNPs colloidal solution. These results suggested that AgNPs-loaded HAp/Col would be a good candidate for antibacterial bone void fillers and coating materials for orthopedic and dental implants.