Physical, Mechanical and Antimicrobial Evaluations of Physically Crosslinked PVA/Chitosan Hydrogels Containing Nanoparticles

Chitosan/montmorillonite (MMT) and Poly vinyl Alcohol (PVA) / Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nanocomposites were prepared and formed hydrogel membranes using freeze thawing technique. The properties of the prepared hydrogels were investigated and compared to hydrogel membranes in presence and absence of nanometals. The physical behavior, mechanical properties and antibacterial activity was examined. Also the surface morphology monitored using scanning electron microscope. Antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeast was also examined. The obtained results showed positive effect of nanometals especially AgNPs on swelling percent on the other hand tensile strength were combined by presence of MMT nanoparticles. The surface morphology showed homogenous images for all samples except samples containing MMT. All prepared samples containing nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity especially hydrogel membranes containing AgNPs.