Sonication Assisted Hierarchical Decoration of Ag-NPon Zinc Oxide Nanoflower Impregnated Eggshell Membrane: Evaluationof Antibacterial Activity and in Vitro Cytocompatibility

Metal/ metal oxide nanoparticles have long been used as an antibacterial substitute; but fabrication of an effective carrier or delivery matrix for achieving a sustain release profile with high bactericidal efficacy alongwith good cytocompatibility is still an unresolved challenge. Herein, the study demonstrates a facile and unique route to fabricate a hierarchical nanobiocomposite with effective loading of ZnO/ silver nanoparticles (Ag–NPs) in order to attain excellent bactericidal efficacy with good and sustainable release profile. Surface functionalized eggshell membranes (ESM) were deployed as three dimensional loading matrices for efficient loading of ZnO/ Ag–NPs. A simple sonochemical guided approach was adopted to synthesize ZnO nanoflakes in-situ onto the microfibrous ESM and decorate it with Ag–NPs to fabricate a nanobiocomposite. Microstructural analysis confirms successful anchorage of ZnO nanoflakes and Ag–NPs on microfibrous eggshell membrane thus reinstating hierarchical morphology of the na...