Phosphorous-Containing Copolymers Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles for Biomedical Purposes

Abstract

New silver nanocomposites (AgNCs) based on copolymers of tris(diethylamino)diallylaminophosphonium tetrafluoroborate (DAAP-BF4) and chloride (DAAP-Cl) with N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP) were developed. The reduction of silver ions into silver nanoparticles was achieved using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. UV-spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the formation of silver nanoparticles in copolymers. The average silver particle size ranged from 10 to 20 nm, with the corresponding UV-vis absorption peak position at 395–405 nm. The AgNCs exhibited significant cytotoxic activity towards rhabdomyosarcoma and melanoma line cells and completely inhibited bacterial growth, including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.