Synthesis and characterization of n-isopropylacrylamide based copolymers with silver nanoparticles

In recent years, the so-called "smart" polymers, which can systematically respond to small environmental changes, such as pH, temperature and electric field, are widely used in many fields. Researchers are particularly interested in using drugs to transport to the right place in the human body. One of the types of these smart polymers are thermosensitive polymers. Among the thermosensitive polymers, the most well-known are homo- and copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide. In the research work, in order to improve the properties of thermosensitive polymers, silver nanoparticles were added to the hydrogel composition. Hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate monomers were synthesized by radical polymerization in solution (in H2O and AgNO3 solution). While the production of silver nanoparticles is based on the redox (by NaBH4 solution) mechanism, the formation of these nanoparticles in the gel was carried out by diffusion. While the introduction of silver nanoparticles into the gel was controlled by ultraviolet spectroscopy, its inclusion in the gel was confirmed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Meanwhile, a hydrogel containing silver nanoparticles exhibits antibacterial properties, it was investigated using biomedical tests. It has been shown here that a hydrogel containing silver has good antibacterial properties, whereas a hydrogel without silver does not have the ability to destroy bacteria.