Synthesis of porous and elastic composites functionalized with gold nanoparticles

In this research we aimed to develop highly elastic, functional and porous composites through the polymerization of medium internal phase emulsion (P-MIPE). Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) based hybrid composite functionalized with hyaluronic acid stabilized gold nanoparticles (HA-AuNPs). The composites were named P-MIPE-10 and P-MIPE-20. Micro-CT images showed a good porosity in the range of 67–57 %. The high cross-linking density of the composite materials was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the crystallinity of the materials enhanced with HA-AuNPs and a higher concentration of the nanoparticles improved the stiffness properties of the composites while maintaining the hyperelastic behavior at 50 % strain. All materials exhibited excellent thermal stability and antioxidant properties increased significantly with HA-AuNP. These findings suggest that synthesized composite materials could be suitable for applications in drug delivery, biomedical scaffolds, biosensors, and structural and engineered composite materials. • Hyaluronic acid stabilized AuNPs (HA-AuNPs) were synthesized. • HA-AuNPs enhanced the mechanical stiffness of PEGDA based polyMIPEs. • HA-AuNp-PEGDA composites exhibited excellent antioxidant activity. • Materials exhibited good porosity, elasticity and thermal stability.