Microfluidic Production of Antibacterial Alginate (Alg‐PEI/AgNP) Microbubble‐Templated Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: Controlled Pore Architecture and Sustained Silver Release

ABSTRACT

Microfluidic‐derived microbubble‐templated scaffolds (Mt‐Ss) enable controllable and homogeneous pore architectures in tissue constructs, offering advantages over conventional fabrication methods. In this study, we developed antibacterial alginate‐polyethyleneimine (Alg‐PEI) scaffolds incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a T‐junction microfluidic system to construct well‐ordered Mt‐Ss for potential wound‐healing applications. AgNPs were synthesized with an average diameter of 25.63 ± 3.7 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.11, and a zeta potential of −21.7 ± 9.1 mV, indicating near indicating narrow size distribution approaching monodispersity and electrosterically stabilized nanoparticle formation. The resulting Mt‐Ss exhibited tunable pore sizes ranging from 90 to 175 µm, depending on PEI and AgNP concentrations, and exceptional water retention capacities of 3685–4300%, which are favorable for managing exudative wounds. ICP‐MS analysis revealed a sustained total silver release profile up to 168 h, with the Alg‐PEI(0.1)/AgNP0.1 formulation demonstrating the highest cumulative release of 8.7 ppm. Notably, Mt‐Ss containing 1% PEI and 0.05% AgNPs exhibited cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli ( E. coli ‐ATCC 25922), Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ‐ATCC 29213), and clinically relevant Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus ( MRSA , ATCC 43300). Overall, Alg‐PEI/AgNP Mt‐Ss demonstrate sustained antibacterial efficacy, superior fluid absorption, and favorable in vitro cytocompatibility, representing a potential candidate for the future management of infected wound environments.