Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-Silver Nanoparticles for efficient antibacterial strategies

Silver nanoparticles, due to their ability to inhibit bacterial proliferation, are highly attractive for medical antibacterial applications. The development of nanotechnology in biomaterials production allows for the fabrication of alternatives to traditional treatment strategies. Therefore, silver nanoparticles hold promise as an antibacterial strategy in tissue engineering.

The preparation conditions are crucial for achieving optimal results with silver nanoparticles. Particle size is a key property, and the use of water-soluble, mild reagents along with proper temperature control promotes the fabrication of particles within the desired nanoscale range. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a non-toxic and inert polymer, is often used to stabilize nanoparticles during synthesis due to its mild properties. This study investigated the involvement of PEG in the synthesis process.

In this work, PEGylated silver nanoparticles were synthesized via a chemical route using silver nitrate (AgNO3) as a starting material. Their size and efficacy were evaluated using physical-chemical characterization and in vitro antimicrobial activity test.

UV-VIS and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles. Particle size and the influence of synthesis parameters were determined using DLS and AFM techniques. The results showed that the prepared PEGylated silver nanoparticles exhibit a monodisperse distribution with sizes below 100 nm. We can therefore conclude that this type of PEG-synthesized nanoparticle has the potential to be an effective antibacterial agent.