# Adsorption of Albumin on Silica Surfaces Modified by Silver and Copper Nanoparticles

Authors: Prity Kumari; Peter Majewski
Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials
 (2013)

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## Abstract

Silver and copper nanoparticles, respectively, were produced on glass slides via magnetron sputtering. The experiments show that with magnetron sputtering the size and concentration of the nanoparticles can be easily controlled via sputter time and plasma power. Silver nanoparticles grow much faster than copper nanoparticles, which also require higher plasma power for their synthesis. Exposed to albumin solution, the glass slides with silver nanoparticles clearly show a delay in albumin attachment compared to pure glass slides. Glass slides with copper nanoparticles show a slight attachment of albumin even after 3 h of exposure. However, the albumin concentration on the surface of the glass slides was much smaller compared to pure glass slides and did not increase within 24 h.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Infection as a result of bacteria attachment and biofilm formation on biomedical devices and implants is a major problem for the health system world wide [1]. One potential approach for reducing the use of antibiotics is the introduction of antimicrobial surface coatings. Various antimicrobial materials have been investigated to develop antibiofouling surface coatings that have the ability to prevent the attaching of proteins, bacteria, or marine organisms [2–9]. However, many of the developed anti-biofouling coatings have failed in medical applications due to bacteria mutation and their ability to develop antibacterial resistance or because the employed anti-biofouling components are highly toxic and, therefore, not employable in medicine [10–12].In recent times, the use of nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent is studied intensively. The most widely studied nanomaterial for this purpose is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the antimicrobial [13–17], antiviral [18, 19], and even antifungal [20, 21] are studied in detail. AgNPs have efficient antimicrobial properties due to their extremely large surface area, which indicates that small AgNPs have better antimicrobial properties than larger particles [22]. AgNPs get attached to the cell membrane and can also penetrate the membrane and travel into the bacteria. Studies indicate that AgNPs interact with sulphur-containing proteins in the bacteria membrane which results in the loss of essential bacteria functions like respiration and permeability [22–25]. Other studies suggest that AgNPs initiate the formation of radicals that interact with the bacterial membrane causing cell death [16]. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have also attracted interest for applications as anti-biofouling agent, due to their catalytic and electrocatalytic properties [26, 27]. Although the antimicrobial effect of AgNPs has been studied widely, the attachment of proteins on surfaces coated with nanoparticles has been investigated to a much lesser extent [28], although it is known that proteins on surfaces can significantly accelerate bacterial attachment and biofilm formation [29]. Therefore, the prevention of protein attachment on surfaces and the investigation of the ability of nanoparticles to prevent this are well justified.In this study, the attachment of albumin protein on surfaces coated with AgNPs and CuNPs versus time using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is studied. A large number of different chemical (e.g., [16, 30]) and physical (e.g., [31]) methods have been developed to prepare metal nanoparticles. In this study, nanoparticles on glass slides were synthesized via magnetron sputtering and their growth as a function of sputter time is also studied.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Magnetron Sputtering

Glass slides with a dimension of24×75 mm2 were used as substrates. Before sputtering, the substrates were cleaned with ethanol. For the deposition of copper and silver nanoparticles, copper and silver targets with a purity of 99.99% were used. After placing the substrates together with the grids for transmission electron microscopy (TEM, Philips CM 200 transmission electron microscope) into the sputter chamber, the chamber was evacuated down to 3×10-3 mbar and subsequently the Argon plasma was ignited. Copper nanoparticles were produced at room temperature using a plasma power of 50 W and sputter times of 10 and 20 s, respectively. Silver nanoparticles were produced at room temperature using a plasma power of 18 W and deposition times of 2, 5, and 10 seconds, respectively.


### 2.2. Albumin Attachment

Mouse serum albumin (MSA) was used for the experiments (Aldrich, nitrogen content 14.8%, fraction V(9048-46-8), EC no. 232-936-2, A-3139, lot 083K7607, desiccate). An amount of 10.03 μg of MSA powder was dissolved in 5 mL of milli-q water in a vial and stored at +8°C for further use. Before the analyses, a drop of the albumin solution was applied onto the samples by a syringe. The samples were placed into a Petri dish and covered with a wet cloth to avoid drying of the albumin solution during the adsorption process, as drying of the droplet would result in deposited, but not bonded, albumin on the surface, which would artificially alter the MALDI-MS results.


### 2.3. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)

For MALDI-MS analysis was performed using a Bruker Autoflex III MALDI MS/MS (Bruker, Germany).


### 2.4. Uv-Vis Spectroscopy

UV-Vis absorption spectra of the glass slides with deposited nanoparticles were obtained using Cary 5 UV-Vis spectrometer (Varian Australia Pty Ltd.).


## 2.1. Magnetron Sputtering

Glass slides with a dimension of24×75 mm2 were used as substrates. Before sputtering, the substrates were cleaned with ethanol. For the deposition of copper and silver nanoparticles, copper and silver targets with a purity of 99.99% were used. After placing the substrates together with the grids for transmission electron microscopy (TEM, Philips CM 200 transmission electron microscope) into the sputter chamber, the chamber was evacuated down to 3×10-3 mbar and subsequently the Argon plasma was ignited. Copper nanoparticles were produced at room temperature using a plasma power of 50 W and sputter times of 10 and 20 s, respectively. Silver nanoparticles were produced at room temperature using a plasma power of 18 W and deposition times of 2, 5, and 10 seconds, respectively.


## 2.2. Albumin Attachment

Mouse serum albumin (MSA) was used for the experiments (Aldrich, nitrogen content 14.8%, fraction V(9048-46-8), EC no. 232-936-2, A-3139, lot 083K7607, desiccate). An amount of 10.03 μg of MSA powder was dissolved in 5 mL of milli-q water in a vial and stored at +8°C for further use. Before the analyses, a drop of the albumin solution was applied onto the samples by a syringe. The samples were placed into a Petri dish and covered with a wet cloth to avoid drying of the albumin solution during the adsorption process, as drying of the droplet would result in deposited, but not bonded, albumin on the surface, which would artificially alter the MALDI-MS results.


## 2.3. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)

For MALDI-MS analysis was performed using a Bruker Autoflex III MALDI MS/MS (Bruker, Germany).


## 2.4. Uv-Vis Spectroscopy

UV-Vis absorption spectra of the glass slides with deposited nanoparticles were obtained using Cary 5 UV-Vis spectrometer (Varian Australia Pty Ltd.).


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. UV-Vis Spectrometry

The UV-Vis spectra of the glass slide sputtered with silver for 5 s and copper for 10 s, respectively, are shown in Figure1. The spectrum of the glass slide sputtered with silver clearly shows an absorption band at 420 nm which verifies the presence of AgNPs on the surface of the glass slide [32]. The glass slides sputtered with copper exhibits an absorption at about 600 nm which gives evidence for the presence of CuNPs on the glass slide [33].Figure 1
UV-Vis absorption spectra for glass slides with silver nanoparticles (black) and copper nanoparticles (grey).


### 3.2. X-Ray Photon Spectroscopy (XPS)

XPS analysis of the surfaces of the glass slides shows clear peaks for silver and copper, respectively. The sample sputtered with silver shows a silver Ag 3d 3/2 and AG 3d 5/2 peaks (Figure2). The high resolution XPS scan reveals that the AG 3d 3/2 peak can be split into a peak at a binding energy of 373.56 eV and a peak at a binding energy of 374.64 eV which gives evidence of the presence of ionic silver of Ag2O and metallic silver, respectively [34, 35]. The AG 3d 5/2 peak can also be split into two peaks at binding energies of 367.56 eV and 368.64 eV, respectively, also revealing the presence of Ag2O and metallic silver [35, 36]. The presence of Ag2O is presumably due to partial surface oxidation of the AgNPs after deposition.Figure 2
High resolution XPS spectrum of glass slide with silver nanoparticles.The high resolution XPS scan for copper shows two Cu 2p 3/2 peaks at binding energies of 932.45 eV and 934.52 eV which can be attributed to metallic copper and ionic copper of CuO, respectively [37, 38] (Figure 3). The Cu 2p 1/2 peak can also be split into two peaks at binding energies of 952.26 eV and 953.77 eV which also gives evidence for the presence of metallic copper and CuO, respectively, on the surface of the sample [39, 40]. The presence of CuO on the surface is presumably also due to partial oxidation of the CuNPs after deposition of the nanoparticles.Figure 3
High resolution XPS spectrum of glass slide with copper nanoparticles.


### 3.3. Transmission Electron Microscopy

The TEM images of the samples clearly show the presence of nanoparticles on the surface of the silica slides (Figures4 to 8). It is obvious that with increasing sputter time the size of the nanoparticles increases. The AgNPs increase in size from between 1 and 10 nm to between 5 and 50 nm within 10 seconds at a plasma power of 18 W. In addition, the shapes of the nanoparticles change from spherical (Figures 4 and 5) to irregular (Figure 6). In contrast, the CuNPs appear to grow much slower than the silver nanoparticles (Figures 7 and 8) and their size is still below about 5 nm even after sputter times of 20 seconds at much higher plasma power of 50 W. At plasma powers below 50 W, CuNPs could not be detected on the glass slides. The reason for this phenomenon is presumably the high melting temperature and ionization energy of copper compared to silver which influence the kinetics of grain growth during magnetron sputter deposition [41]. It also appears that with increasing sputter time, the size of the CuNPs does not increase, whereas the number of nanoparticles increases.Figure 4
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 2 seconds.Figure 5
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 5 seconds.Figure 6
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 10 seconds.Figure 7
Cu nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 10 seconds.Figure 8
Cu nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 20 seconds.


### 3.4. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)

The MALDI MS analyses of the albumin adsorption experiments are shown in Figures9, 10, and 11. After only three hours of exposure to the MSA solution, the MALDI-MS analysis of the pure silica sample clearly shows pronounced peaks at about 35000 m/z and 62000 m/z. All these peaks can be attributed to albuminabout1+ and albuminabout2+ peaks [42], although the peak at 62000 m/z is at slightly lower m/z value than that reported in the  literature [42]. This phenomenon may be due to the attachment of none complete albumin molecules. Minor peaks can be identified at about 14000 m/z, 22500 m/z, and 28500 m/z, which are not identified, but my be attributed to albuminn+ peaks with 2<n<4 [43].Figure 9
MALDI-MS spectrum of pure silica after 3 h of contact with MSA solution.MALDI-MS spectrum of silica with Ag nanoparticles after 3 h (a) and 24 h (b), respectively, of contact with MSA solution.
(a)
(b)MALDI-MS spectrum of silica with Cu nanoparticles after 3 h (a) and 24 h (b),  respectively, of contact with MSA solution.
(a)
(b)The samples sputtered with silver for 5 s do not show any related peaks after 3 h of exposure to the MSA solution. However, after 24 h of exposure the albumin1+ and albumin2+ peaks are clearly visible besides peaks at 28500 m/z, 22500 m/z, and 14000 m/z. This observation indicates that the adsorption of albumin on the surface with attached AgNPs is significantly delayed compared to the pure silica surface. However, after prolonged exposure, albumin is clearly adsorbed by the surface with AgNPs.The samples containing CuNPs sputtered for 20 s show a very different result. Although albumin1+  and albumin2+ peaks are visible after 3 h and 24 h, respectively, the peaks are significantly weaker compared to those on pure silica and silica with AgNPs at albumin exposure for 24 h and the peaks at 35000 m/z and 62000 m/z do not increase between 3 and 24 h of exposure to albumin. The reason for this phenomenon is believed to be caused by the fact that CuNPs are significantly smaller than AgNPs, so that the larger albumin molecule (about 8 to 10 nm [44]) is able to attach to the silica surface to some extent by bridging the smaller nanoparticle. Nevertheless, as the adsorption of albumin does not increase within 24 h of exposure, it is believed that CuNPs have the ability to prevent further adsorption of albumin. However, the underlying physical and chemical phenomena that delays albumin attachment is yet to be clarified and will be presented later.


## 3.1. UV-Vis Spectrometry

The UV-Vis spectra of the glass slide sputtered with silver for 5 s and copper for 10 s, respectively, are shown in Figure1. The spectrum of the glass slide sputtered with silver clearly shows an absorption band at 420 nm which verifies the presence of AgNPs on the surface of the glass slide [32]. The glass slides sputtered with copper exhibits an absorption at about 600 nm which gives evidence for the presence of CuNPs on the glass slide [33].Figure 1
UV-Vis absorption spectra for glass slides with silver nanoparticles (black) and copper nanoparticles (grey).


## 3.2. X-Ray Photon Spectroscopy (XPS)

XPS analysis of the surfaces of the glass slides shows clear peaks for silver and copper, respectively. The sample sputtered with silver shows a silver Ag 3d 3/2 and AG 3d 5/2 peaks (Figure2). The high resolution XPS scan reveals that the AG 3d 3/2 peak can be split into a peak at a binding energy of 373.56 eV and a peak at a binding energy of 374.64 eV which gives evidence of the presence of ionic silver of Ag2O and metallic silver, respectively [34, 35]. The AG 3d 5/2 peak can also be split into two peaks at binding energies of 367.56 eV and 368.64 eV, respectively, also revealing the presence of Ag2O and metallic silver [35, 36]. The presence of Ag2O is presumably due to partial surface oxidation of the AgNPs after deposition.Figure 2
High resolution XPS spectrum of glass slide with silver nanoparticles.The high resolution XPS scan for copper shows two Cu 2p 3/2 peaks at binding energies of 932.45 eV and 934.52 eV which can be attributed to metallic copper and ionic copper of CuO, respectively [37, 38] (Figure 3). The Cu 2p 1/2 peak can also be split into two peaks at binding energies of 952.26 eV and 953.77 eV which also gives evidence for the presence of metallic copper and CuO, respectively, on the surface of the sample [39, 40]. The presence of CuO on the surface is presumably also due to partial oxidation of the CuNPs after deposition of the nanoparticles.Figure 3
High resolution XPS spectrum of glass slide with copper nanoparticles.


## 3.3. Transmission Electron Microscopy

The TEM images of the samples clearly show the presence of nanoparticles on the surface of the silica slides (Figures4 to 8). It is obvious that with increasing sputter time the size of the nanoparticles increases. The AgNPs increase in size from between 1 and 10 nm to between 5 and 50 nm within 10 seconds at a plasma power of 18 W. In addition, the shapes of the nanoparticles change from spherical (Figures 4 and 5) to irregular (Figure 6). In contrast, the CuNPs appear to grow much slower than the silver nanoparticles (Figures 7 and 8) and their size is still below about 5 nm even after sputter times of 20 seconds at much higher plasma power of 50 W. At plasma powers below 50 W, CuNPs could not be detected on the glass slides. The reason for this phenomenon is presumably the high melting temperature and ionization energy of copper compared to silver which influence the kinetics of grain growth during magnetron sputter deposition [41]. It also appears that with increasing sputter time, the size of the CuNPs does not increase, whereas the number of nanoparticles increases.Figure 4
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 2 seconds.Figure 5
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 5 seconds.Figure 6
Ag nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 10 seconds.Figure 7
Cu nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 10 seconds.Figure 8
Cu nanoparticles sputtered on silica for 20 seconds.


## 3.4. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS)

The MALDI MS analyses of the albumin adsorption experiments are shown in Figures9, 10, and 11. After only three hours of exposure to the MSA solution, the MALDI-MS analysis of the pure silica sample clearly shows pronounced peaks at about 35000 m/z and 62000 m/z. All these peaks can be attributed to albuminabout1+ and albuminabout2+ peaks [42], although the peak at 62000 m/z is at slightly lower m/z value than that reported in the  literature [42]. This phenomenon may be due to the attachment of none complete albumin molecules. Minor peaks can be identified at about 14000 m/z, 22500 m/z, and 28500 m/z, which are not identified, but my be attributed to albuminn+ peaks with 2<n<4 [43].Figure 9
MALDI-MS spectrum of pure silica after 3 h of contact with MSA solution.MALDI-MS spectrum of silica with Ag nanoparticles after 3 h (a) and 24 h (b), respectively, of contact with MSA solution.
(a)
(b)MALDI-MS spectrum of silica with Cu nanoparticles after 3 h (a) and 24 h (b),  respectively, of contact with MSA solution.
(a)
(b)The samples sputtered with silver for 5 s do not show any related peaks after 3 h of exposure to the MSA solution. However, after 24 h of exposure the albumin1+ and albumin2+ peaks are clearly visible besides peaks at 28500 m/z, 22500 m/z, and 14000 m/z. This observation indicates that the adsorption of albumin on the surface with attached AgNPs is significantly delayed compared to the pure silica surface. However, after prolonged exposure, albumin is clearly adsorbed by the surface with AgNPs.The samples containing CuNPs sputtered for 20 s show a very different result. Although albumin1+  and albumin2+ peaks are visible after 3 h and 24 h, respectively, the peaks are significantly weaker compared to those on pure silica and silica with AgNPs at albumin exposure for 24 h and the peaks at 35000 m/z and 62000 m/z do not increase between 3 and 24 h of exposure to albumin. The reason for this phenomenon is believed to be caused by the fact that CuNPs are significantly smaller than AgNPs, so that the larger albumin molecule (about 8 to 10 nm [44]) is able to attach to the silica surface to some extent by bridging the smaller nanoparticle. Nevertheless, as the adsorption of albumin does not increase within 24 h of exposure, it is believed that CuNPs have the ability to prevent further adsorption of albumin. However, the underlying physical and chemical phenomena that delays albumin attachment is yet to be clarified and will be presented later.


## 4. Conclusion

Magnetron sputtering appears to be a very potent technology to produce nanoparticles on surfaces. Size and concentration of nanoparticles can easily be controlled by plasma energy and sputter time as shown in this study.The experiments conducted here also show that AgNPs and CuNPs have the capacity to clearly delay the attachment of albumin of the coated surfaces. However, in case of AgNPs, it is obvious that attachment of albumin cannot be completely prevented after prolonged exposure to albumin solution for 24 h. In case of CuNPs, although a very minor albumin attachment is detectable after exposure for only 3 h, no further increase of albumin attachment was observed within 24 h of exposure. This observation may indicate that the size of the nanoparticles may play a role in the albumin attachment. Very small nanoparticles like those in case of the CuNPs (1 to 5 nm) may not completely prevent albumin attachment, as the albumin molecule has a size of about 8 to 10 nm, whereas nanoparticles in the size range of 10 to 20 nm like AgNPs observed on the glass slides are able to prevent albumin attachment.The fact that albumin attachment can be delayed by coatings of AgNPs and CuNPs is of some significance, as biomedical tools are often used only once after removing them from sterile packaging and are then used only for short time, for example, during surgery. If protein attachment can be prevented during that time period, as shown for surfaces coated with AgNPs, the chance of infection is clearly reduced.



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*Source: 839016-2013-06-17.xml*