Production of Bioactive Nanomaterial Using Laser Generated Nanoparticles

Abstract

Laser ablation is demonstrated as an effective tool to generate highly pure nanoparticles in liquids to design novel bioactive materials. In our study we present a novel route to design bioactive materials addressing two bioactive effects via nanocomposites and nanosurfaces. Nanoparticles are generated during laser ablation and are characterised using environmental scanning electron microscopy, element mapping (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticle size, productivity and in-situ functionalisation is investigated in ethylacetate as carrier fluid for embedding nanoparticles into polymers. In-situ functionalisation in 0.01% and 0.1% solution of silicone resin leads to an increase of silver-nanoparticle productivity. Furthermore, we found that NiTi-nanoparticles are generated stoichiometrically from the bulk and that cells adhere onto nanosurfaces coated with a nanoparticle concentration of 1 µg/cm². Overall, we present a laser-based access to two types of bioactive nanomaterials.