The construction of a seaweed-based antibacterial membrane loaded with nano-silver based on the formation of a dynamic united dual network structure

In order to obtain a medical hydrogel membrane material with excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial ability, we loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into a calcium alginate-polydopamine-carboxymethyl chitosan (CA-PDA-CMCS) membrane with a united dual network structure. Based on the reducibility of PDA and the metal-binding ability of catechol, an algal-based hydrogel membrane (Ag@CA-PDA-CMCS membrane) with outstanding mechanical and antibacterial properties was prepared. As a reducing agent, PDA was reacted with AgNO3 to generate AgNPs, which is a superior method to eliminate the residual toxic reducing agent particles and improve the biocompatibility of composite materials. When the content of dopamine (DA) was 0.75 wt%, the comprehensive performance of the CA-PDA-CMCS membrane was the best. The tensile strength and elongation at break were 91.92 MPa and 2.55%, respectively, which were increased by 342.99% and 13.84% compared with those of the CA membrane. The Ag@CA-PDA-CMCS membrane showed obvious antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxicity of the Ag@CA-PDA-CMCS membrane was the least when the AgNO3 concentration was 2 mM. The Ag@CA-PDA-CMCS membrane has great potential for use in the field of new wound dressings.

Automated summary

By loading silver nanoparticles into a CA-PDA-CMCS membrane, a hydrogel membrane with excellent mechanical and antibacterial properties, Ag@CA-PDA-CMCS membrane was prepared. It showed obvious antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and has great potential for use in new wound dressings.