نبذة مختصرة : Abstract Eco-friendly antimicrobial hydrogels derived from carbohydrate polymers are receiving significant attention for their sustainable and cost-effective properties. This study focuses on developing antimicrobial hydrogels based on alginate and hydroxyethyl cellulose (SA/HEC) using a green chemistry approach. The impact of bivalent metal ions on cross-linking efficiency and the hydrogels’ physicochemical properties were analyzed, with hydrogels produced in various forms, such as beads, sponges, and films, characterized by SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Calcium (Ca2⁺), magnesium (Mg2⁺), and Ca2⁺/Mg2⁺ combinations were explored, revealing that Ca2⁺ and Ca2⁺/Mg2⁺ combinations demonstrated excellent cross-linking efficiency, while Mg2⁺ alone was insufficient for cross-linking. However, adding small amounts of Ca2⁺ improved Mg2⁺ cross-linking capacity, yielding stable SA/HEC hydrogels. Beads exhibited porous structures (2–20 µm), and films with a thickness of ~ 150 µm were produced, showcasing strong mechanical and thermal stability. Additionally, in-situ synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) within SA/HEC hydrogels exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and fungal strains Candida albicans ATCC 14053 and Candida krusei ATCC 6258. This study successfully demonstrates a green chemistry method to synthesize water-insoluble hydrogels cross-linked with Ca2⁺/Mg2⁺ ions with inherent antimicrobial properties.
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