Development of core-shell-shell nanoparticles based on UCNP, ZnO and ZIF-8 coupled to a bacterial cellulose membrane towards microbial resistance through photoactivation

• Grant number: 24/13104-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Agreement: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: Sidney José Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Marina Paiva Abuçafy
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/01900-0 - Development of core-shell-shell nanoparticles based on UCNP, ZnO and ZIF-8 coupled to a bacterial cellulose membrane to combat microbial resistance through photoactivation, AP.R

Abstract

This project aims to develop a new composite with antimicrobial properties, based on the use of hybrid materials of upconversion NPs (UCNPs) and ZnO NPs. The great highlight of this material is the possibility of overcoming bacterial resistance through the application of low-energy lasers (near-infrared NIR). UCNPs absorb photons in the near infrared region and emit a higher energy photon in the ultraviolet (UV) and/or visible (vis) region, capable of sensitizing ZnO NPs to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a controlled manner, being very interesting towards microbial resistance. The associated inorganic NPs, together with a conventional drug, will be incorporated into metal-organic networks (MOFs), in this case ZIF-8, forming a core-shell-shell structure, and coupled to a bacterial cellulose membrane, as a matrix. , ensuring greater stability of these molecules, protection of metabolism, and enabling controlled release. The materials obtained will be characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS); thermogravimetric analysis (TG); scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/MET); zeta potential; and evaluation of photoluminescent properties. Using spectroscopic techniques in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) region, it will be possible to quantify the ZnO NPs and the drug incorporated and released from the developed system. The quantification of reactive oxygen species with and without photoactivation will be compared using the E-BC-K138-F colorimetric kit. Antimicrobial activity will be evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (CBM) methods against Staplylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The cellular viability of the synthesized material will also be evaluated to study the biocompatibility of the system. (AU)