Radiation synthesis of nanosilver/poly vinyl alcohol/cellulose acetate/gelatin hydrogels for wound dressing

Abstract

Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported within polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose acetate/gelatin (PVA/CA/GEL) composite have been successfully synthesized using gamma radiation-induced crosslinking as novel in situ method. The reduction of Ag+ ions within the previously obtained hydrogel matrix was performed using further radiation. The successful incorporation of silver nanoparticles in PVA/CA/GEL matrix was confirmed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was found that PVA/CA/GEL-stabilized silver nanocomposite hydrogel revealed the presence of well-dispersed and spherical silver nanoparticles, the mean diameter and size distribution of nanoparticles increased with enhanced loaded AgNO3 concentration. The mean diameters of 5, 10 and 20 mM AgNO3 loaded PVA/CA/GEL were 38.6 nm, 56.8 nm and 60.1 nm whereas, 25 % of size distribution was < 37.0 nm, < 60.7 nm and < 63.0 nm, respectively. The mechanical properties of the membranes were characterized by tensile tests; the hydrogel membrane had sufficient strength. TGA showed a higher thermal stability for Ag/PVA/CA/GEL nanocomposite than the conventional ones. XRD results indicated that Ag-nano particle inhibit the crystallization of PVA-based gel and presence of silver nano-particle in the hydrogel nanocomposite. The nanosilver/PVA/CA/GEL hydrogels were found to have antimicrobial activity against various fungus and bacteria. The antibacterial ability could be significantly enhanced by the increasing of AgNO3 content. In vitro bacterial adhesion study indicated a significant difference between neat and nanocomposite gel which showed higher inhibition. It suggested that the nanosilver hydrogels could be tried as wound dressing.