Characterization of eggshell nanoparticles as reinforcement material in biodegradable metal matrix composites for biomedical application

This paper investigated the potential utilization of eggshell nanoparticles bio-resources as reinforcement material in Biodegradable Metal Matrix Composites (BMMC) for biomedical applications using characterization techniques. The eggshell nanoparticles were produced via chemical (sol-gel) and mechanical (ball mill) routes and thereafter calcined at 1000?C for 3 h under 11?C/min heating rate. The resulting calcined products were then characterized using a Transmission Electron Micro-scope (TEM/EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial activities of the functionalized bandage characteristics of the eggshell calcined nanoparticles from both routes were performed. Results indicated that eggshell nanoparticles were successfully produced from sol-gel and ball mill methods with characteristics 2.102?0.757 and 10.793?7.540 nm mean particle size respectively. The XRF and XRD analyses show the presence of hard metallic oxides such as CaO (91.37-92.87) wt%, MgO (02.66-2,92 wt%), Fe2O3 (0.23-0.36 wt%), ZnO (0.18-0.22) wt% and hard ceramic phases (calcite, lime and portlandite) for both the sol-gel and ball milled eggshell nanoparticles. In addition, Eggshell nanoparticles produced from both routes displayed an enhanced antibacterial, and antifungal activity and a higher zone of inhibition on functionalized bandage against all the tested bacteria at 150 ?g/ml concentration. Meanwhile, the sol-gel sample performed better compared to the ball-milled sample at all concentrations with greater antibacterial efficacy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bacteria strains. The presence of hard phases and enhance antibacterial performance of eggshell nanoparticles suggest it, as a promising reinforcement material for improve mechanical and biological performance when use as reinforcement material for BMMC development.