Abstract
Three different routes were used to infiltrate the pores of anodic porous alumina templates with silver nanoparticles, selected as an example of a bioactive agent. The three methods present a continuous grading from more physical to more chemical character, starting from ex situ filling of the pores with pre-existing particles, moving on to in situ formation of particles in the pores by bare calcination and ending with in situ calcination following specific chemical reactions. The resulting presence of silver inside the pores was assessed by means of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The number and the size of nanoparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy of functionalized alumina cross-sections, followed by image analysis. It appears that the best functionalization results are obtained with the in situ chemical procedure, based on the prior formation of silver ion complex by means of ammonia, followed by reduction with an excess amount of acetaldehyde. Elution of the silver content from the chemically functionalized alumina into phosphate buffer saline has also been examined, demonstrating a sustained release of silver over time, up to 15 h.
Highlights
Nowadays, nanostructures are commonly applied in materials and devices used in many diverse areas of science and technology, from electro-optical and mechanical engineering to the life sciences, from chemical and environmental sensors to medical diagnostics
The penetration of NPs into the anodic porous aluminna (APA) occurs preferentially on this side, whereas the bottom side is hindered to access by the NPs in solution, as their diffusion into the pores is not favored there
We have presented three different methods for loading APA with Ag NPs
Summary
Nanostructures are commonly applied in materials and devices used in many diverse areas of science and technology, from electro-optical and mechanical engineering to the life sciences, from chemical and environmental sensors to medical diagnostics. The nanoscale in materials can be reached by either assembling nanoparticles (NPs) into ordered patterns or random ensembles, as, e.g., inside resin nanocomposites, or by using extended nanostructured matrices formed after self-assembly during the respective physical–chemical fabrication. Sometimes, both nanostructure types, i.e., particles and matrix, can be combined and interact with each other, giving rise to possible operating functions. Both nanostructure types, i.e., particles and matrix, can be combined and interact with each other, giving rise to possible operating functions This is, for example, the case of anodic porous alumina (APA [1]) as the matrix phase. The use of APA as a template is normally followed by its selective dissolution in acidic aqueous solutions to set the formed nanostructures free of their mold
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