Highly effective antimicrobial nanocomposites based on hydrogel matrix and silver nanoparticles: long-lasting bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects.

Antimicrobial nanocomposites (NCs) are being used as an alternative antibacterial therapy for killing antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. The NCs are made of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside biocompatible hydrogel matrixes. The NCs were synthesized by the absorption of AgNO solution into a hydrogel matrix, followed by UV light irradiation, without using additional toxic reactants.