Electrospinning of Silver and Zinc-Coated Halloysite Nanotube Polylactic Acid Scaffolds

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are proven nanocontainers and nanocarriers. Silver nitrate (Ag) zinc sulfate nanoparticles (Zn) known for their antimicrobial properties. This study incorporated Ag Zn-coated HNTs in electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) nanofiber composite. An efficient 'green' method of coating Zn on the HNT surface was used to metal coat HNTs. The resulting PLA fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder diffraction (XRD). AgHNTs Zn/HNTs evaluated potential activity when integrated into fibers. Fiber diameters calculated from SEM images DiameterJ software indicated a reduction fiber with adding ZnHNTs compared native swelling ratio, porosity, scaffold density, characteristics four different scaffolds significantly differed between groups 95% confidence level. produced also show significant antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus. Our novel eco-friendly can be further create metal-coated HNTs, polymer combinations, metallic implant drug/device combinations controlled drug release dental orthopedic applications.