Silver nanoparticle-enhanced photosensitizers as antibiofilm agents
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods of killing biofilm using a surface plasmon coupled to a photosensitizer. A nanostructure ( 10 ) may include a silver nanoparticle core ( 12 ), a mesoporous silica shell ( 14 ), and a photosensitizer ( 16 ). A method of killing biofilm may include contacting biofilm with a nanostructure ( 10 ) including a silver nanoparticle core ( 12 ), a mesoporous silica shell ( 14 ), and a photosensitizer ( 16 ) to form a blend and exposing the blend to light.
1. A method of killing a biofilm comprising:
contacting a biofilm with a nanostructure comprising a silver nanoparticle core, a mesoporous silica shell, and a photosensitizer to form a blend; and
exposing said blend to light.
2. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein said biofilm comprises a bacteria selected from the group consisting of MRSA and E. coli.
3. The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the bacteria comprises a bacteria strain, the bacteria strain selected from the group consisting of ATCC BAA44 and ATCC 35218.
4. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biofilm comprises E. coli and Nutrient Broth.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said biofilm comprises MRSA and Tryptic Soy Broth.
6. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light is produced by a light emitting diode.
7. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein said light has a broad spectrum, the broad spectrum including visible and near infrared wavelengths.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said blend comprises a Ag@mSi02@HPIX hybrid.