Design of Novel Antibacterial Macroporous Mats Based on Polylactide Nanofibers and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

摘要

Electrospinning and electrospraying are techniques employed for the elaboration of functional polymeric micro- or nanofibers by the application of an electrostatic field. They offer the possibility to engineer fibrous polymeric materials with suitable features for wound dressing as the porous nature of the as-obtained mats allow for the drainage of the wound exudates and the permeation of atmospheric oxygen and/or moisture to the wound. Moreover, they can specifically be engineered to prevent the attack of microbes, thus sparing the wound possible infections. In this regard, the incorporation of antimicrobial nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), constitutes one of the main ways to develop electrospun materials capable of eradicating pathogen cells.