Biodegradable and conducting hydrogels based on Guar gum polysaccharide for antibacterial and dye removal applications

Conducting hydrogels possessing antibacterial activity were developed using a two-step free-radical aqueous polymerization method to incorporate polyaniline chains into an adsorbent Guar gum/acrylic acid hydrogel network. The material properties of the synthesized samples were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Conducting hydrogels were tested for antibacterial activities against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coil bacteria and demonstrated antibacterial activity. Synthesized hydrogel samples can be potential adsorbent materials for dye removal applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.