Rational design and electrical study of conducting bionanocomposites hydrogel based on chitosan and silver nanoparticles

Abstract The chitosan/polyacrylic acid/polypyrrole/loaded with silver nanoparticles (CS/PAA/PPy/Ag-NPs) bionanocomposite as conductive, biodegradable, and biocompatible hydrogels were prepared by the casting method. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were incorporated into the prepared bionanocomposite hydrogels to reinforce the electrical conductivity as well as the antimicrobial properties of the prepared hydrogels. The scanning electron microscopy revealed the compatibility of chitosan, polyacrylic acid, and polypyrrole, as well as Ag-NPs, were inserted in the polymer matrix and dispersed well on the superficies of the prepared bionanocomposites. X-ray diffraction displayed the presence of Ag-NPs into the polymer matrix. Also, the appearance of characteristic peaks in the Fourier transform infrared confirmed the compatibility of three polymers. Additionally, the swelling properties, antimicrobial activity as well as the electrical and dielectric characteristics of the fabricated bionanocomposites hydrogels were investigated. Moreover, the DC-conductivity was studied and our data designated that the DC-conductivity of the prepared bio-nanocomposites was improved by the existence of PPy more precisely than that of Ag-NPs. However, both were of high conductivity compared to that of the CS/PAA and found to follow the BNN universal relation. Also, The activation energy of about 55 kJ/mol of CS:2PAA hydrogel and reduce to about 15 kJ/mol in all the considered bionanocomposites after addition of Ag-NPs. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities of the knowledgeable microbes were improved as a result of the presence of Ag-NPs in bionanocomposites hydrogels.