Nanoscale zerovalent Iron-incorporated kaolinite for hemostatic and antibacterial applications

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was converted into iron oxide and used as an active component in hemostasis, but have to avoid inefficient nano agglomerates and tissue thermal damage. Herein, a nZVI-kaolinite composite was fabricated with kaolinite as the support material through the sodium borohydride reduction method, and its multiple hemostatic mechanisms and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity were studied. Incorporated kaolinite improves the dispersed state in an appropriate spacing against the exothermic oxidation reaction in advance, reducing exothermic side effects within a tissue-tolerable allowance. Regarding the hemostatic properties of nZVI-incorporated kaolinite, the blood coagulation index was 4.10% to 7.30%, and the hemolysis rate in vitro was less than 5%. The hemostatic mechanism originates from negatively charged silanol groups on the kaolinite surface and the iron oxide nanoparticles oxidized from nZVI. In addition, broad-spectrum antibacterial activities were obtained in vitro due to the synergistic effect of nZVI particles and kaolinite, including physical adsorption, exothermic effects, and the generation of reactive oxygen species. This work offered a feasible idea for using nZVI to treat infectious wounds.

Automated summary

In this study, a nZVI-kaolinite composite was prepared using the sodium borohydride reduction method. The composite exhibited multiple hemostatic mechanisms and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The kaolinite in the composite improved the dispersed state and reduced exothermic side effects, while the nZVI particles and kaolinite synergistically exhibited antibacterial activity through physical adsorption, exothermic effects, and the generation of reactive oxygen species.