| KEYWORD |
Biocomposites containing nanostructured zinc oxide for wound dressing
keywords BIOMATERIALS, HYDROGELS, NANOSTRUCTURED ZINC OXIDE, WOUND DRESSING
Reference persons FRANCESCA BOSCO, BARBARA ONIDA
Research Groups BEAR, Supercritical fluids and Materials Chemistry
Thesis type EXPERIMENTAL
Description Wound dressings are materials designed to cover wounds, prevent infection and
help injured tissues to repair and regenerate. A variety of different materials have
been investigated for application as wound dressings designed to improve the
healing process and thereby the rate of healing when compared to traditional
systems. Consequently, wound dressings are generally composed of materials that
are hydrophilic, porous and swellable, in different morphologies such as fibers,
films, foams and hydrogels. Moreover the materials may be degradable and/or loaded
with therapeutically active molecules.
Among the different classes of materials, hydrogels have gained much attention
in the field of wound treatment. Hydrogels are polymeric networks filled with water, that when are applied to a wound site are effective in absorbing exudates and protecting wounds from secondary infection.
Biocomposites represent advanced materials resulting from the combination of biopolymers with inorganic components. In particular, the addition of nanostructured zinc oxide (NsZnO) in the polymeric matrix allows to impart novel functionality, such as antimicrobial activity.
The aim of the thesis is the preparation and characterization of innovative bionanocomposites containing NsZnO particles.
The activity will develop in the following steps: i) synthesis and characterization of NsZnO characterized by high specific surface area; ii) preparation of composite hydrogels based on whey proteins; iii) study of their antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli; iv) in vitro study of the zinc ion release.
Deadline 12/03/2020
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA