Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticle incorporated gelatin‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate hydrogels for wound dressing applications

ABSTRACT A replaceable wound cover which absorbs moisture and resist infection can be used to prevent development of chronic wounds. A major criterion for a replaceable wound dressing is nonadherence to cells to prevent pain upon removal. A major limitation of water absorbing hydrogels used in wound dressing applications is their poor mechanical strength. In this study, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) was synthesized by reacting Type A porcine skin gelatin with methacrylic anhydride at 50 °C. Resultant GelMA monomer containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) protected silver nanoparticles were subsequently copolymerized with 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) at room temperature by redox mechanism. This resulted in a hydrogel copolymer with optimum mechanical stability and moisture retention while inhibiting microbial contamination and FT‐IR spectroscopy was used to confirm copolymer formation. Antimicrobial properties of the hydrogel using agar diffusion showed zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus . Surface morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis was carried out using energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) analysis of the hydrogel showed enhancement in the pore size from around 32 µ to 48–64 µ after incorporation of silver nanoparticles. Degradation of the hydrogel was observed after 48 h when stored in PBS containing collagenase enzyme . In vitro cell culture experiments established absence of cytotoxicity in the hydrogel and nonadherence character to dermal fibroblasts. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44529.