Graphene Based Composite Hydrogel for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In this work, composite hydrogel consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), graphene and silver nanoparticles, (Ag/PVA/Gr), was prepared by the immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in PVA/Gr hydrogel matrix in two steps. The first step was cross linking of the PVA/Gr colloid solution by the freezing/thawing method, while in the second step, in situ electrochemical method was used to incorporate AgNPs inside the PVA/Gr hydrogel matrix. We used UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, Raman spectroscopy, DSC analysis, as well as test of cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity, to characterize obtained Ag/PVA/Gr hydrogel. It was shown that graphene-based composite hydrogel with incorporated AgNPs is non toxic biomaterial with antibacterial activity, with a potential for use in biomedical purposes.

In Vivo Investigation of Soft Tissue Response of Novel Silver/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/ Graphene and Silver/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan/Graphene Hydrogels Aimed for Medical Applications – The First Experience

“…In this study, we investigated the biocompatibility of novel polymers based on PVA or PVA/CHI hydrogels with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in which graphene was incorporated to improve their properties. There are several studies of Ag/PVA/Gr [33,40−43], and Ag/PVA/CHI/Gr polymers [30,39,44], however, none provides information regarding their in vivo biocompatibility. For this reason, our in vivo investigations of novel Ag/PVA/Gr and Ag/PVA/CHI/Gr hydrogels with improved physical properties should be the basis for further preclinical and clinical research with the goal of their application in human and veterinary medicine.…”

“…Preparation of PVA, PVA/Gr, PVA/CHI and PVA/CHI/Gr hydrogels PVA and PVA/Gr hydrogels were prepared according to the procedure published elsewhere [37][38][39]. PVA/CHI and PVA/CHI/Gr hydrogels were obtained following similar procedure [30].…”

Evaluation of Soft Tissue Regenerative Processes After Subcutaneous Implantation of Silver/ Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and Novel Silver/Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Graphene Hydrogels in an Animal Model

“…In vitro biological investigation, i.e. examination of the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of these hydrogels has been established [22,23].…”

“…Gr and Gr oxide have often been used as fi llers for wound dressings and drug delivery materials [19][20][21]. AgNPs with excellent antibacterial activity are often used as active component in biomaterials based on PVA hydrogels [22][23][24][25][26]. The silver/ poly(vinyl alcohol) (Ag/PVA) and silver/poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene (Ag/PVA/Gr) hydrogels have been fully character ized [26,27], and are intended for use in biomedical purposes, primarily as wound dressings [10].…”

A comprehensive review of the polymer‐based hydrogels with electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles for wound dressing applications

“…AgNPs could be electrochemically synthesized galvanostatically or at constant voltage, in or ex situ, in colloid solutions of polymers [26][27][28][29] or directly inside the hydrogel. [30][31][32][33][34][35][36] In this article, we aim to present an overview of the recent progress in electrochemical methods of AgNPs incorporation in polymer-based materials for wound dressing applications, with a special focus on chitosan as a prospective material. To our knowledge, there is no such review in the current state-of-the-art literature and it is important to cover the green electrochemical alternatives for the facile and clean production of AgNPs with tailored properties for wound dressing applications.…”