Copper-enhanced silver releasing from bimetal-containing bioactive glass (AgCu/80S) elicits antibacterial efficacy against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In this study, the sol-gel method was used to prepare bioactive glass capable of co-releasing silver and copper, named AgCu/80S. The thermal, crystal structure, bond, and composition were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis, respectively. Disk diffusion tests, bacterial growth curve tests, and colony-forming tests were performed to assess the antibacterial activity of the bioactive glass. The textural results confirmed that silver and copper were successfully incorporated into the bioactive glasses. Moreover, the copper in AgCu/80S could enhance silver release to inhibit the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, we successfully synthesized a multi-functional bioactive material, namely AgCu/80S, where silver possesses antibacterial activity, copper enhances the silver releasing, and 80S promotes the hydroxyapatite formation. According to our review of the literature, AgCu/80S was the first silver-copper co-incorporated bioactive glass, but further functional investigations are necessary for its development.