Silver nanoparticles-containing dual-function hydrogels based on a guar gum-sodium borohydride system

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Dual-function hydrogels with stimuli-responsive and self-healing properties are gaining interest.
• Developing simple, economical, and rapid methods for creating these advanced materials is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel and facile method for preparing silver nanoparticle-containing smart hydrogels.
• To utilize natural polymer (guar gum) and sodium borohydride for simultaneous synthesis and cross-linking.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using silver nitrate as precursor and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agent.
• Cross-linking of guar gum (GG) chains using sodium metaborate (NaBO2), a byproduct of NaBH4.
• Characterization of the resulting AgNPs/GG hydrogels for their properties.

Main Results:

• AgNPs/GG hydrogels were prepared within 3 minutes at room temperature without additional cross-linkers.
• The hydrogels demonstrated excellent viscoelasticity, flowability, and injectability.
• The materials exhibited significant pH and thermal responsiveness, along with rapid self-healing capabilities.

Conclusions:

• A simple, fast, and economical method for producing dual-function AgNPs/GG hydrogels was established.
• The developed hydrogels possess desirable properties for potential biomedical and industrial applications.
• This approach offers a scalable pathway for advanced smart material fabrication.