SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COPOLYMERIC AND TERPOLYMERIC HYDROGEL-SILVER NANOCOMPOSITES BASED ON ACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLAMIDE AND ITACONIC ACID: INVESTIGATION OF THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AGAINST GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

n this study, copolymeric and terpolymeric hydrogel-silver nanocomposites based on poly(acrylamideco-itaconic acid), poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) and poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) were synthesized by free-radical polymerization. These nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, as well as their swelling behaviors. In addition, antibacterial properties of these hydrogel-silver nanocomposites were investigated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Acrylic-based hydrogel-silver nanocomposites demonstrated antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. These hydrogel-silver nanocomposites can be used as antibacterial material in the medical field.