Smart Ag/P(HEMA/IA) Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Wound Dressing Obtained by Different Radiation Approaches

Following two distinct radiolytic synthesis approaches - one-step and two-step method, two types of smart silver nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared. In a two-step process, P(HEMA/IA) copolymeric hydrogels, synthesized via gamma radiation during the first phase, were used as a matrix for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles which also employed a gamma radiolytic method during the second phase. The one-step approach integrates both phases of the two-step synthesis - silver nanocomposites were obtained by irradiating water/ethanol solutions containing HEMA, IA and AgNO3 resulting in the simultaneous formation of AgNPs and P(HEMA/IA) hydrogels. Ag/P(HEMA/IA) nanocomposite hydrogel libraries obtained using these two different fabrication methodologies were characterized through UV-Vis spectroscopy, swelling behavior studies, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. To assess their antimicrobial properties, the nanocomposites were tested against E. Coli, S. Aureus, and C. Albicans. Both types of synthesized copolymeric silver nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated good antimicrobial activity, even at low silver concentrations, making them suitable for wound dressing applications. Combining this with the fact that one-step synthesis can provide the sterilized final product in one step, with a significant reduction in production time and cost compared to two-step synthesis, results in a useful synergistic combination for efficient hydrogel wound dressing production.