Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Protection of Pharmaceutical Kaolin and Talc Modified with Copper and Zinc

Six pharmaceutical pastes were prepared using chemically modified kaolin and talc powders. Tests were conducted to determine their structural and chemical characteristics as well as their antimicrobial protection, thus rendering them suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. Kaolin and talc were treated chemically via the cation exchange method to load the clay particles with copper and zinc ions, two cations well known for their antimicrobial properties. Mineralogical analyses were conducted by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) before and after the modification, confirming the mineralogical purity of the samples. Scanning electron microscopy was also used in conjunction with energy dispersed spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to obtain chemical mapping images, revealing the dispersion of the added metals upon the clay minerals surfaces. Moreover, chemical analysis has been performed (XRF) to validate the enrichment of the clays with each metal utilizing the cation exchange capacity. All modified samples showed the expected elevated concentration in copper or zinc in comparison to their unmodified versions. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the chemical state of the samples' surfaces was investigated, revealing the presence of salt compounds and indicating the oxidation state of adsorbed metals. Finally, the resistance of pastes in microbial growth when challenged with bacteria, molds, and yeasts was assessed. The evaluation is based on the European Pharmacopeia (EP) criteria.

Antimicrobial Applications of Clay Nanotube-Based Composites

Halloysite nanotubes with different outer surface/inner lumen chemistry (SiO₂/Al₂O₃) are natural objects with a 50 nm diameter hollow cylindrical structure, which are able to carry functional compounds both inside and outside. They are promising for biological applications where their drug loading capacity combined with a low toxicity ensures the safe interaction of these nanomaterials with living cells. In this paper, the antimicrobial properties of the clay nanotube-based composites are reviewed, including applications in microbe-resistant biocidal textile, paints, filters, and medical formulations (wound dressings, drug delivery systems, antiseptic sprays, and tissue engineering scaffolds). Though halloysite-based antimicrobial materials have been widely investigated, their application in medicine needs clinical studies. This review suggests the scalable antimicrobial nano/micro composites based on natural tubule clays and outlines research and development perspectives in the field.

Halloysite Nanotube-Reinforced Ion-Incorporated Hydroxyapatite-Chitosan Composite Coating on Ti-6Al-4 V Alloy for Implant Application

To develop the corrosion resistance and improve the biological performance of a titanium implant (Ti6Al4V alloy), a series of mineral (M = Zn and Mg)-substituted hydroxyapatite (MHA), chitosan-MHA (CS-MHA), halloysite nanotube-MHA (HNT-MHA), and HNT-CS-MHA composite coatings were fabricated on the anodized titanium alloy by electrodeposition. The surface morphology and cross section of various coated composites were investigated by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Furthermore, the functional groups and phase structure of the composite coatings were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Corrosion behaviors of the composite coatings were also investigated by polarization and impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, the cell-material interaction of the composite coating was observedin vitrowith human osteoblast MG63 cells for cell proliferation at 1, 4, and 7 days of incubation. Consequently, HNT-CS-MHA-Ti may have potential applications in the field of orthopedic and dental implants.

Fabrication of Bilayer Coating of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-Halloysite/Chitosan and Mg2+/Sr2+-Doped HAP on Titanium Alloy for Biomedical Implant Applications: Physicochemical and In Vitro Biological Performances Studies

The prime objective of the present work is to develop biocompatible overlayer-deposited titanium alloys to replace already available titanium alloy-based biomaterials for implantation applications. Here, we prefer to use a bilayer coating on titanium alloys instead of single coating. The adhesion and biocompatibility of titanium alloy is improved by coating with a bilayer, for example, PEDOT-HNT/CS-MHA composite using the electrochemical deposition method. Corrosion behavior of the PEDOT-HNT/CS-MHA bilayer composite coating was investigated in the PBS medium by polarization studies. The functional groups, phase purity, surface morphology, and wettability of the PEDOT-HNT/CS-MHA were characterized by various instrumental techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, and contact angle techniques. From the above studies, it is proved that PEDOT-HNT/CS-MHA-coated Ti alloy showing a better biocompatibility and corrosion resistance than the PEDOT-HNT-deposited Ti alloy. In addition, the in vitro bactericidal and cell viability studies were also carried out to further confirm the biocompatibility of the protective coating. Hence, the bilayer deposition has shown excellent stability and biocompatibility and can be used for the potential biomaterials for orthopedics applications.

Influence of Polycation Composition on Electrochemical Film Formation

The effect of polyelectrolyte composition on the electrodeposition onto platinum is investigated using a counterion switching approach. Film formation of preformed polyelectrolytes is triggered by oxidation of hexacyanoferrates(II) (ferrocyanide), leading to polyelectrolyte complexes, which are physically crosslinked by hexacyanoferrate(III) (ferricyanide) ions due to preferential ferricyanide/polycation interactions. In this study, the electrodeposition of three different linear polyelectrolytes, namely quaternized poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (i.e., poly{[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; PMOTAC), quaternized poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] (i.e., poly{[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; POTAC), quaternized poly[N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)methacrylamide] (i.e., poly{[3-(methacrylamido)propyl]trimethylammonium chloride}; PMAPTAC) and different statistical copolymers of these polyelectrolytes with N-(3-aminopropyl)methacrylamide (APMA), are studied. Hydrodynamic voltammetry utilizing a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) shows the highest deposition efficiency DE for PMOTAC over PMAPTAC and over POTAC. Increasing incorporation of APMA weakens the preferred interaction of the quaternized units with the hexacyanoferrate(III) ions. At a sufficient APMA content, electrodeposition can thus be prevented. Additional electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements reveal the formation of rigid polyelectrolyte films being highly crosslinked by the hexacyanoferrate(III) ions. Results indicate a different degree of water incorporation into these polyelectrolyte films. Hence, by adjusting the polycation composition, film properties can be tuned, while different chemistries can be incorporated into these electrodeposited thin hydrogel films.