Developing Antibacterial Patch of Nanofibrous Membrane by Decorating with Redox-active Nanoceria Particles for Wound Dressing Applications

Antibiotics are currently the life saviour against bacterial infections. However, due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, new challenges of antimicrobial resistance have emerged in the 21st century. Nanomaterials have traversed a long-way and they are currently looked upon as a viable alternative to the antibiotics for topical applications during wound dressing. Therefore, in the current study, we presented a successful synthesis of nanoceria (CeO2) coated nanofiber patch through a dip-coating process using a supersaturated cerium chloride solution for wound dressing applications. SEM and AFM imaging of the nanofibrous patch have confirmed a homogeneous and rough (Rq(nm) of 11.976) surface coating by nanoceria (CeO2). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the presence of CeO2 in a polycrystalline cubic fluorite phase on the nanofiber surface. The prepared nanofibers exhibited potent antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) model pathogens through topological and redox mechanisms. The mechanism of action was verified by bacterial colony forming unit analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and FE-SEM imaging, which showed antibacterial activity through bacterial cell membrane disruption. These results offer a promising proof-of-concept of the above method for the development of rough nanofiber-based wound bandages and patches that can prevent infections without relying on antibiotics. This is particularly significant as the world is facing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to traditional antibiotics.