Polymer-based wafers containing in situ synthesized gold nanoparticles as a potential wound-dressing material

Polymer-based wafers containing gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were prepared using κ-carrageenan (κC), locust bean gum (LBG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at ratios of 42/22/13% ^w/_w and 35/15/17% ^w/_w. The synthesized AuNPs were evaluated for their particle size and morphology. The produced wafers containing AuNPs were investigated for their physicochemical, morphological, mechanical, and swelling properties. In addition, bacterial barrier activity and in vitro cytotoxicity were also evaluated in this study. The AuNPs obtained were spherical in shape (~ 10-15 nm in diameter) and exhibited a single bell-shaped UV-vis absorption band centered ~ 540 nm. FT-IR spectra of the wafers containing AuNPs exhibited a shift of ν(O=S=O) absorption band toward a lower wavenumber and a shift of ν(OH) absorption band toward a higher wavenumber due to the coordination of OH groups to AuNPs and their interaction with O=S=O groups of κC, respectively. SEM images confirmed the porous structure of the produced wafers, being the surface area, mechanical properties, and swelling behavior directly affected by changing both the initial amount of [Au⁺³] and the composition of the wafers. Lastly, the produced wafers showed non-toxicity to NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells, and they also serve as a bacterial barrier. These findings endorsed the claim that the produced wafers containing AuNPs could be a promising material for wound dressing applications.