Sprayed in-situ synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan loaded silver nanocomposite hydrogel for improved antibacterial effects.

To overcome the practical limitations of hydrogel preparations, applications and strength-based problems, the present study utilizes the use of sprayers for preparing polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CH) hydrogels. The particle size, morphology, stability, release studies and antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) had been studied. The particle size of AgNPs was found to be in the range of 4.59-10 nm (75 °C) with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.84. The morphological images exhibited inter-connecting porous structure with pore size in submicron's (<1 µm). Major infra-red spectral peaks of PVA (2946.67 cm-1; stretching of CH, 1142.72 cm-1; CO stretching) and CH (3287.49 cm-1; OH stretching, 2917.48 cm-1; CH stretching) maintain their place in PVA/CH and PVA/CH/Ag hydrogels. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed peaks with 2θ values at 38.08°, 44.29° and 64.50° corresponding to the crystal planes of (1 1 1), (2 0 0) and (2 2 0), respectively, allocated to face-centered cubic crystalline structure of AgNPs. The drug release and antibacterial studies showed a maximum release of 91.83% from hydrogels and a concentration dependent zone of inhibition (ZOI) for >24 h, respectively. Thus, the newly developed sprayed hydrogels could turn out to be a suitable dressing material for wound healing applications.