Cross-linked Films Research Articles

Continuous and controllable electro-fabrication of antimicrobial copper-alginate dressing for infected wounds treatment

The contamination of chronic wound with bacteria especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered as the major factor interferencing normal wound healing. There still remain great challenges in developing safe and effective wound dressings with wide-spectrum antibacterial functions. Alginate hydrogel is a common dressing for wound treatment. Copper is one of the trace elements in human body with inherent antibacterial activity. Traditional methods for preparing a structure-controlled copper-alginate antibacterial matrix are difficult however, due to the fast and uncontrolled gelation between alginate and metal ions. In this work, we report an electrodeposition method for rapid fabrication of copper cross-linked alginate antibacterial films (Cu2+-Alg) with controlled structure and copper content, which is relied on an electrical signal controlled release of copper ions from the reaction of insoluble salt Cu2(OH)2CO3 and the generated protons via water electrolysis on anode. The results prove that the physical structure and chemical composition of the electrodeposited Cu2+-Alg films can be continuously modulated by the imposed charges during electrodeposition. In vitro tests demonstrate the film has Cu2+ content-dependent bactericidal activities. Film’s cytocompatibility is well controlled by the imposed charges for Cu2+-Alg fabrication. The MRSA infected wound model in vivo also indicates that Cu2+-Alg film can effectively eliminate bacterial infection and suppress host inflammatory responses. We believe this study demonstrates a convenient and controllable strategy to fabricate alginate antibacterial dressings with potential applications for infected wound treatment. More broadly, our work reveals electrodeposition is a general and simple platform to design alginate films with versatile functions.

Organocatalyzed Synthesis and Degradation of Functionalized Poly(4-allyloxymethyl-β-propiolactone)s

The chemical synthesis of degradable poly(β-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) produced by microorganisms allows the control of the solubility, crystallinity, hydrophobicity, degradability, thermal, and mechanical properties by introducing functionality on the side chain. Herein, we synthesized a PHA derivative containing a pendant allyl group via the anionic ring-opening polymerization of a 4-allyloxymethyl-β-propiolactone (AMPL) monomer, which was prepared via the carbonylation of allyl glycidyl ether. The AMPL monomer was subjected to various organocatalysts in bulk to yield poly(4-allyloxymethyl-β-propiolactone) (PAMPL) with controllable molecular weight and dispersity. The prepared PAMPL polymers were characterized via 1H and 13C NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analyses. A photoactivated thiol–ene reaction allowed the postpolymerization modification of PAMPLs with varying substituents. Functionalized PAMPL polymers degraded under chemical and thermal conditions, and importantly, cross-linked PAMPL films degraded during exposure to soil and seawater under a wide range of degradation kinetics. This study provides the future potentials of the chemically synthesized and functionalized PHA for replacing conventional petroleum-derived polymers.

Cross-Linked Polypropylene Oxide Solid Electrolyte Film with Enhanced Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrochemical Properties via Additive Modification

Benefiting from the flexibility and low cost, polymer electrolytes are widely used in ultra-thin solid lithium-ion batteries. However, low room-temperature ion conductivity and poor mechanical and thermal stability are key defects hindering the wide application of the polymer solid-state electrolyte. In this work, a cross-linked polypropylene oxide (PPO) polymer solid electrolyte film with excellent mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties was prepared by introducing the cellulose skeleton, polyglycol (peg400), and zirconia (ZrO2) additives. The cellulose skeleton and peg400 enhance the flexibility, tensile strength and thermal stability(>200 °C) of the electrolyte film, while ZrO2 promotes the movement of polymer segments and the dissociation of lithium salts to improve the ionic conductivity (6.67 × 10–4 S cm–1 at room temperature) and increase the potential window (>4.6 V vs Li/Li+) of the electrolyte. This composite electrolyte film can be used in LiFePO4(LFP) and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2 (NCM622) solid-state batteries and shows good cycling stability with 600 cycles for LFP. This rigid-flexible composite solid electrolyte film with high ion conductivity and good mechanical and thermal properties has good prospects for application in solid-state Li batteries.

Design and fabrication of fouling resistant cross-linked polyamide thin film composite nanofiltration membrane consisting of an aliphatic triamine and terephthaloyl chloride for water desalting applications

Although a lot of polyamide thin film composite nanofiltration (TFC-NF) membranes have been developed but organic and biofouling are affecting the performance and lifespan of such membranes. Hence, the development of new and efficient polyamide membrane with a great potential against fouling is desperately needed. A new polyamide TFC-NF membrane was fabricated by reacting a linear aliphatic diethylene triamine (DETA) and linear cross-linker terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) through interfacial polymerization on ultrafiltration porous support. The resulting membrane namely Polyamide@PSf/PET was further treated with 15% hydrofluoric acid (HF) for 1 week. Membranes were extensively characterized by XPS, AFM, Zeta-potential, FESEM, FTIR, EDX, Elemental mapping and Contact angle. The HF treated Polyamide@PSf/PET showed superior performance in terms of pure water flux and rejection of tested salts and flux recovery. The highest observed water flux was 48 LMH at 24 bars while the rejection of MgSO4 reached to > 95%. HF treated Polyamide@PSf/PET membrane showed greater flux recovery of 86.4% compared to Polyamide@PSf/PET which showed a flux recovery of 84.5%. The HF treated membrane showed lower tendency towards biofouling. The bacteriostatic studies revealed that the HF treated Polyamide@PSf/PET membrane inhibited S. aureus growth by 70.7%.

Penetrant-Induced Glass-like Transition in Thin Chitosan Films.

We present the water vapor-induced swelling and the emergence of a penetrant-induced glass-like transition in the substrate-supported glassy chitosan thin films. The time evolution of the film thickness under different levels of relative humidity conditions is measured in real-time using a spectroscopic ellipsometer equipped with a humidity cell. In a dry film, the network of chitosan chains is in a glassy state, and upon exposure to water vapor, initially, the film swells by Fickian diffusion of water molecules, which triggers the structural relaxations of the chains. Under higher humidity conditions, a relatively slower evolution of thickness succeeds the initial rapid swelling due to the non-Fickian sorption of water molecules. The swelling characteristics of the polymer films are accounted for by considering the diffusion-relaxation mechanism of chains in the presence of smaller penetrant molecules. The penetrant-induced glass-like transition (Pg), where the polymer film isothermally transits from a glassy to a rubbery state, is determined for pristine and cross-linked chitosan films. Pg is determined from the abrupt change in the rate of swelling observed upon increasing the relative humidity. Chemical crosslinking has an evident influence on the penetrant-induced glass-like transition of the chitosan films. Pg was found to rise sharply for stiffer films with higher cross-linking density.

Formation and properties of cross-linked polymer films based on biocompatible polymers

Cross-linked polymer films based on polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylamide have been prepared via radical cross-linking initiated by peroxide containing reactive copolymers. The influence of temperature, nature and concentration of cross-linking agents onto gel-fraction value and properties of polymer films has been studied. Obtained cross-linked polymer films are characterized by improved physico-mechanical properties that depend on the content of peroxide containing copolymer and on the presence of additional cross-linking agent.

Multi-frequency sound energy harvesting using Helmholtz resonators with irradiated cross-linked polypropylene ferroelectret films

Harvesting multi-frequency sound energy from environmental noise is a meaningful topic to supply energy for potential devices. In this work, we constructed an array of Helmholtz resonators (HRs) with cross-linked polypropylene (IXPP) ferroelectret films on the inner walls of HR cavities, whose resonant frequencies range from 300 to 800 Hz and quasi-static piezoelectric coefficient d33 is 230 pC/N. The energy harvesting performance of IXPP films is investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, in a single HR with various sizes, showing the high energy conversion capability close to the resonant frequencies of HRs, e.g., 337, 375, 445, 522, 588, 661, 739, 782, and 795 Hz, in the experiment. By putting one, two, three, and four samples of nine different sized HRs in series connection in order, we measured the average output power of 3.16, 5.31, 7.36, and 8.66 nW at the resonant frequencies. It shows that the output power of IXPP films has been significantly improved at multiple frequencies by series connection of IXPP films. In parallel, the optimal electrical resistance increases in a quasilinear way compared to the number of HRs. These results are helpful for designing efficient sound energy harvesters in the broadband frequency range.

Exploiting the Structural Metamorphosis of Polymers to 'Wrap' Micron-Sized Spherical Objects.

There is growing interest in developing methods to 'wrap' nano- and micron-sized biological objects within films that may offer protection, enhance their stability or improve performance. We describe the successful 'wrapping' of lectin-decorated microspheres, which serve as appealing model micron-sized objects, within cross-linked polymer film. This approach utilizes polymer chains able to undergo a structural metamorphosis, from being intramolecularly cross-linked to intermolecularly cross-linked, a process that is triggered by polymer concentration upon the particle surface. Experiments demonstrate that both complementary molecular recognition and the dynamic covalent nature of the crosslinker are required for successful 'wrapping' to occur. This work is significant as it suggests that nano- and micron-sized biological objects such as virus-like particles, bacteria or mammalian cells-all of which may benefit from additional environmental protection or stabilization in emerging applications-may also be 'wrapped' by this approach.

Preparation and characterization of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) cross-linked by aliphatic diamines

The article describes a new method for the preparation of cross-linked poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) using aliphatic diamines. The developed two-stage method includes selective functionalization of the polymer by the bromination reaction of PTMSP and the subsequent use of functional groups in the polymer for cross-linking by the reaction of bromine substitution in the polymer with a diamine. Under the conditions of a polymer solution with added diamines, the effect of the chain length of the diamine, the reaction temperature, and the bromine content in the polymer on the cross-linking efficiency was studied. It was shown that the cross-linking efficiency depends on the length of the diamine chain and on the bromine content in PTMSP. The identification of cross-linked products was carried out on the basis of elemental analysis data, the stability of the reaction product to the solvent (CCl4), in which the starting brominated PTMSP dissolves, and by IR spectroscopy. Cross-linked films of brominated PTMSP resistant to organic solvents were obtained using 1,12-diaminododecane, which showed the highest efficiency in the reaction in solution. The individual gases (H2, N2, O2, CH4, CO2, and n-C4H10) and mixed n-butane/methane permeability of the pure, brominated and cross-linked PTMSP films were measured. The obtained data demonstrated that cross-linking reduces pure gases permeability as well as mixed n-butane and methane permeability of cross-linked PTMSP films in comparison with initial PTMSP. Cross-linked PTMSP film showed that ideal selectivity calculated from pure gas measurements enhanced (for example, ideal selectivity for СO2/N2 increased from 6.2 to 10.1) or stayed nearly constant (ideal selectivity for n-С4H10/CH4 was 3.6–3.9) compared to initial PTMSP. Whereas, in contrast, the mixed n-butane/methane selectivity decreased from 22 (unmodified PTMSP) to 14 (cross-linked PTMSP). The nanoporous structure unmodified, brominated and cross-linked PTMSP films was studied by the method of low-temperature nitrogen sorption. The decrease in gas/vapor permeability correlates with changes in the specific surface area and pore volume in the series: PTMSP - brominated PTMSP – cross-linked PTMSP. The high values of the specific surface area and volume of micropores indicate a highly developed nanoporous structure of the obtained cross-linked polymer, which is promising as a membrane and highly sorbing material.

Modulating physicochemical properties of collagen films by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde at varied pH values

Collagen films cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GTA) at different pH values were prepared to explore the influence of pH on their physicochemical properties. The films were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, SDS-PAGE, shrinkage temperature, fluorescence analysis and SEM. The results indicated that cross-linking degree and reaction position were different at different pH values. The optimal cross-linking degree in collagen films was obtained under neutral and alkaline conditions. The main reaction under acidic conditions was intramolecular cross-linking and this gradually shifted to intermolecular cross-linking with an increase in pH. Cross-linked films had improved mechanical properties and thermal stability as well as higher b* values compared to films without cross-linking. These improvements correlated with the degree and position of cross-linking reactions. Controlling the reaction pH can be used to modulate the physicochemical properties of the collagen films to match specific application requirements.

Preparation and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Films Cross-Linked by Two Essential Oils at Different Concentrations and Plasticized with Glycerol

Gelatin cross-linking has recently been discovered to be a very appealing method of producing gelatin-based films. The current research looks at various commercial gelatin (type B) films to improve their physical qualities. Bunium alpinum and bunium incrassatum essential oils (EOs) in two quantities (5% and 25%) were added to the films, which showed substantial biological activity (antibacterial, antioxidant, antihemolytic, and anti-inflammatory). According to electronic scanning microscopy, the basic gelatin matrix had changed and there were multiple dense spots on the cross-linked films. The particles appear to be more bonded in an isotropic form. Infrared spectroscopy cannot provide substantial accuracy on the new characteristics and chemical interactions formed due to the complex system of both gelatin and EOs. According to the UV transmission test results, adding EOs to gelatin films improves the barrier properties against UV rays and prevents UV light transmission. Finally, the swelling water test revealed that included EOs in the film composition reduce the film's swelling.

Designing cross‐linked pyrrole‐thieno [3,4‐ b ] thiophene copolymer to push forward electrochemical performance and access flexible micro‐supercapacitor with ultra‐long cycling stability

While higher high specific surface area allows micro-supercapacitor (MSC) electrode materials to have improved performance, it also tends to make them less stable thermodynamically and microstructurally, which can easily deteriorate and seriously affects their service life. So here, we have chosen a cross-linked copolymer film structure as MSC electrodes. The pyrrole-thieno [3,4-b] thiophene (TbT) copolymer film (namely PPy-co-TbT) exhibits high specific capacity, which can reach 47.8 mF cm−2 (a specific volumetric capacitance of 23.9 F cm−3 and a specific gravimetric capacitance of 28.1 F g−1) at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2 using LiCl/PVA gel electrolyte with ultra-long cycling stability (capacitance retention after 50 000 charge/discharge cycles is still higher than 93%, which is the leading level in MSCs). The electrochemical performance of this cross-linked copolymer is superior to that of the single-component polymer, achieving a 1 + 1 > 2 effect. Both features of cross-linking and copolymerization have positive effects on microelectrodes requiring stable microstructures and high performance. The structurally stable cross-linked copolymer obtained by copolymerization design may become a durable material for next generation ultra-long-life, high-performance micro-supercapacitor electrodes and will be widely developed. Highlights The electrochemical performance of the cross-linked copolymer electrode reaches 1 + 1 > 2. A pioneering cross-linked copolymer was designed to prolong the stability of microsupercapacitor. Capacitance retention rate is still higher than 93% after 50 000 cycles, which is in the leading position. Provides an important thought for the manufacture of ultra-long-life microsupercapacitor.

Microwave Enabled Physically Cross Linked Sodium Alginate and Pectin Film and Their Application in Combination with Modified Chitosan-Curcumin Nanoparticles. A Novel Strategy for 2nd Degree Burns Wound Healing in Animals.

This study reports microwave assisted physically cross-linked sodium alginate and pectin film and their testing in combination with modified chitosan-curcumin nanoparticles for skin tissue regeneration following 2nd degree burn wound. Film was formulated by solution casting method and physically cross-linked using microwave irradiation at frequency of 2450 MHz, power 750 Watt for different time intervals for optimization. The optimized formulation was analyzed for various physiochemical attributes. Afterwards, the optimized film and optimized modified chitosan-curcumin nanoparticles were tested in combination for skin regeneration potential following burn wound in vivo and skin samples extracted and tested for different attributes. The results indicated that the optimized film formulation (5 min microwave treatment) physicochemical attributes significantly enhanced addressing the properties required of a wound healing platform. The vibrational analysis indicated that the optimized film experienced significant rigidification of hydrophilic domains while the hydrophobic domains underwent significant fluidization which also resulted in significant increase in the transition temperatures and system enthalpies of both polymer moieties with microwave treatment. The combined film and nanoparticles application significantly increased protein content in the wounds which were evident from higher absorbance ratios of amide-I and amide-II (2.15 ± 0.001), significantly higher melting transition temperature and enthalpy (∆T = 167.2 ± 15.4 °C, ∆H = 510.7 ± 20.1 J/g) and higher tensile strength (14.65 ± 0.8 MPa) with significantly enhanced percent re-epithelization (99.9934 ± 2.56) in comparison to other treatments. The combined application of film and nanoparticles may prove to be a new novel treatment strategy for 2nd degree burn wound healing.

Physicochemical and Electrochemical Characterization of Electropolymerized Polydopamine Films: Influence of the Deposition Process.

Polydopamine (PDA) is a synthetic eumelanin polymer which is, to date, mostly obtained by dip coating processes. In this contribution, we evaluate the physical and electrochemical properties of electrochemically deposited PDA films obtained by cyclic voltammetry or pulsed deposition. The obtained PDA thin films are investigated with respect to their electrochemical properties, i.e., electron transfer (ET) kinetics and charge transfer resistance using scanning electrochemical microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and their nanomechanical properties, i.e., Young’s modulus and adhesion forces at varying experimental conditions, such as applied potential or pH value of the medium using atomic force microscopy. In particular, the ET behavior at different pH values has not to date been investigated in detail for electrodeposited PDA thin films, which is of particular interest for a multitude of applications. Adhesion forces strongly depend on applied potential and surrounding pH value. Moreover, force spectroscopic measurements reveal a significantly higher percentage of polymeric character compared to films obtained by dip coating. Additionally, distinct differences between the two depositions methods are observed, which indicate that the pulse deposition process leads to denser, more cross-linked films.

Effect on the thermal resistance and thermal decomposition properties of thermally cross-linkable polyimide films obtained from a reactive acetylene

Homopolyimides are prepared by 4,4′-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)diphthalic anhydride as dianhydride monomer and several diamine monomers. The copolyimides are prepared with 4,4′-oxydianiline as an amine monomer， 3,3′,4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride as an anhydride monomer with the addition of 4,4′-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)diphthalic anhydride as another anhydride monomer. The structure of polyimides is characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thermogravimetric analysis, thermomechanical analysis and thermo-oxidative degradation kinetics analysis are used to investigate the properties of polyimides. The homopolyimide show the best thermal stability in both nitrogen and air atmosphere by 4,4′-oxydianiline and 4,4′-(ethyne-1,2-diyl)diphthalic anhydride. The results also indicate that the thermally cross-linkable copolyimide films not only enhance the thermal stability behaviors of polyimide by controlling the addition of dianhydride, but also improve substantially the upper limit temperature of thermal aging by undergoing chemical cross-linking reaction of the diphenylethynylene structures and providing multifarious naphthalene ring groups and biphenyl structures. Diphenylacetylene crosslinking merging to the long-chain of polyimide is a useful conversion for enhancing the thermal stability and the thermal degradation stability of aromatic polymers.

Synthesis and characterization of a perfluorocyclobutane-containing cross-linked polyimide gate insulator for thin film transistor

We have synthesized a thermally curable polymeric gate insulator (TFVOB-SPI) through the modification of soluble polyimide (SPI) using a 4-(1,2,2-trifluorovinyloxy)benzoyl (TFVOB) chloride. The thermal cross-linking of TFVOB-SPI was done and prepared the cross-linked TFVOB-SPI thin film having the perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) structure. The PFCB structure was formed by the radical mediated thermal cycloaddition of trifluorovinyl ether of TFVOB. The cross-linked TFVOB-SPI showed excellent thermal stability up to 495 °C with only 5% weight loss and excellent chemical resistance to common organic solvents. The pentacene thin-film transistor (TFT) with the cross-linked TFVOB-SPI as a gate dielectric exhibited a field effect mobility of 0.28 cm2/Vs with almost no hysteresis during the TFT operation.

Diels-Alder Cross-Linked, Washing-Free Hydrogel Films with Ordered Wrinkling Patterns for Multicellular Spheroid Generation.

Three-dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroids are a new generation in vitro cell model, however, their applications are severely limited by difficulties in their generation. Here patterned poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel films were synthesized for their generation. Instead of polymerization of HEMA monomers in the presence of a cross-linker, here the PHEMA films were synthesized by cross-linking furan-functionalized linear PHEMA, PHEMA-furan, and maleimide-functionalized linear PHEMA, PHEMA-mal, via Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between furan and maleimide groups. A thermal treatment temperature of 75 °C was chosen for the cross-linking reaction. The occurrence of DA reaction was confirmed by IR spectra. Using this method, cross-linked PHEMA films with smooth surface were successfully synthesized in situ in the well of cell culture plates. The films were then patterned by simply adding water to swell them. Highly ordered, honeycomb-like wrinkling patterns were successfully obtained by adjusting the furan and maleimide contents in the precursor linear polymers. The patterned hydrogel films were used to generate multicellular spheroids. Guided by the patterns, 3D spheroids with narrow size distribution, tunable size, and high cell viability were successfully obtained. The patterned PHEMA films reported here exhibited a lot of advantages. The patterning method was quite simple and required no template or special equipment. They were synthesized in situ in commercial cell culture plates. Particularly, thanks to the clean nature of the DA reaction, no low molecular weight monomer, cross-linker, initiator, or catalyst, which were potentially cytotoxic, was involved in the film synthesis, and no byproduct was produced and left in the film. The resulting films presented a high biocompatibility, allowing the avoidance of the tedious washing step. The films synthesized here were expected to have high potential for massive production of well-defined multicellular spheroids.

Foldable and washable textile-based OLEDs with a multi-functional near-room-temperature encapsulation layer for smart e-textiles

Wearable electronic devices are being developed because of their wide potential applications and user convenience. Among them, wearable organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) play an important role in visualizing the data signal processed in wearable electronics to humans. In this study, textile-based OLEDs were fabricated and their practical utility was demonstrated. The textile-based OLEDs exhibited a stable operating lifetime under ambient conditions, enough mechanical durability to endure the deformation by the movement of humans, and washability for maintaining its optoelectronic properties even in water condition such as rain, sweat, or washing. In this study, the main technology used to realize this textile-based OLED was multi-functional near-room-temperature encapsulation. The outstanding impermeability of TiO2 film deposited at near-room-temperature was demonstrated. The internal residual stress in the encapsulation layer was controlled, and the device was capped by highly cross-linked hydrophobic polymer film, providing a highly impermeable, mechanically flexible, and waterproof encapsulation.

Synthesis of model terpene-derived copolymers in supercritical carbon dioxide for cosmetic applications

There is currently a strong drive within the cosmetics industry to replace petroleum based solvents and polymers with renewable alternatives. Copolymers of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) and maleic anhydride (MA) are interesting model candidates to be used in make-up and skincare applications as cross-linkable film forming materials, but are currently synthesised in organic solvents and are derived from petroleum. Herein, we have studied and optimised the copolymerisation of these two monomers in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). The kinetics of the reaction and resulting products were compared with analogues synthesised in a 30/70 solvent mixture of ethyl acetate/isododecane (EtOAc/IDD), which mimics current industry practices. Initially, the incompatibility of these two monomers in the absence of a solvent lead to mixed homo- and copolymer products during reactor pressurisation. This was overcome by devising a new synthesis approach, in which MA is first dissolved in scCO2 at high temperature, followed by the addition of 2EHA and a radical initiator in situ via a HPLC pump. Copolymers synthesised using this new methodology were added to simple cosmetic formulations and evaluated for their resistance to olive oil, where they performed comparably with those synthesised in EtOAc/IDD. The renewable content of the reaction was then increased further, by substituting the monomer 2EHA with the terpene-derived alternatives isobornyl acrylate and α-pinene acrylate. This study is an important step towards materials that can achieve outstanding levels of performance in a variety of cosmetic applications, and are also more in phase with green chemistry criteria.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties of Highly Cross-Linked pH-Sensitive Hydrogels through Gamma Radiation

The design of new polymeric systems for antimicrobial drug release focused on medical/surgical procedures is of great interest in the biomedical area due to the high prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with wounds or burns. For this reason, in this work, we present a new design of pH-sensitive hydrogels copolymerized by a graft polymerization method (gamma rays), intended for localized prophylactic release of ciprofloxacin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for potential topical bacterial infections. The synthesized hydrogels were copolymerized from acrylic acid (AAc) and agar. Cross-linked hydrogel film formation depended on monomer concentrations and the degree of radiation used (Cobalt-60). The obtained hydrogel films were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The swelling of the hydrogels was evidenced by the influence of their pH-sensitiveness. The hydrogel was loaded with antimicrobial agents (AgNPs or ciprofloxacin), and their related activity was evaluated. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of biocidal-loaded hydrogel was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on in vitro conditions.