Silver-Containing Collagen–Chitosan Materials Promising for Medical Applications: Synthesis and Structure

New collagen–chitosan materials containing Ag nanoparticles, promising for the design of wound dressings, were synthesized from a porous hybrid material derived from collagen and chitosan in the powder and gel forms. An original process concept for the formation of hybrid biomaterials is presented. The materials were synthesized using powders of collagen and chitosan polymers pre-modified with Ag nanoparticles obtained by metal vapor synthesis. The metal-containing powder systems were used as precursors for the preparation of gels, which were freeze-dried to give porous hybrid materials. Nanocomposites were studied using XPS, PXRD, and SEM/EDX methods. Homogeneous distribution of Ag nanoparticles over the collagen–chitosan composite bulk was found, and the composition and electronic state of the metal in the material was examined.