Synthesis and characterization of hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites for wound dressing and antibacterial application

Hydrogel silver nanocomposites are found to be excellent materials for antibacterial applications. To enhance their applicability novel hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites have been developed. For developing, these composites, the hydrogel matrices are synthesized first by polymerizing acrylamide in the presence of poly(vinyl sulfonic acid sodium salt) and a trifunctional crosslinker (2,4,6‐triallyloxy 1,3,5‐triazine, TA) using redox initiating system (ammonium persulphate/TMEDA). Silver nanoparticles are generated throughout the hydrogel networks using in situ method by incorporating the silver ions and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. Curcumin loading into hydrogel‐silver nanoparticles composite is achieved by diffusion mechanism. A series of hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites are developed and are characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal analyses, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopic (SEM/TEM) methods. An interesting arrangement of silver nanoparticles i.e., a shining sun shape (ball) (～ 5 nm) with apparent smaller grown nanoparticles (～ 1 nm) is observed by TEM. The curcumin loading and release characteristics are performed for various hydrogel composite systems. A comparative antimicrobial study is performed for hydrogel‐silver nanocomposites and hydrogel‐silver nanoparticle‐curcumin composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of hydrogel–nanosilver composites based on copolymers from 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate sodium

In this research, we contributed to the search for potential hydrogel–silver dressings by generating hydrogel–silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) composites prepared by the dipping of the crosslinked hydrogel poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate sodium) (1:1) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate sodium) (1:1) into an aqueous suspension of citrate‐stabilized AgNPs. The composites obtained were evaluated by an antibacterial activity assay on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and subjected to an in vitro cytotoxicity assay for human fibroblasts. The composite formed from the hydrogel poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate sodium) with 3 mol % N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide showed the highest antibacterial activity and the least cytotoxicity among the composites tested; this makes it an excellent alternative as a potential dressing for the treatment of deep and exudative wounds. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39644.     

Silver‐nanoparticle‐loaded chitosan lactate films with fair antibacterial properties

Food quality and safety are major concerns in the food industry. Antimicrobial packaging can be considered an emerging technology that could have a significant impact on life and food safety. Antimicrobial agents in food packaging can control the microbial population and target specific microorganisms to provide greater safety and higher quality products. In this work, a lactic acid grafted chitosan film was synthesized. Silver nanoparticles were loaded into the chitosan lactate (CL) film by equilibration in a silver nitrate solution, which was followed by citrate reduction. The presence of silver nanoparticles was confirmed with transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis of the film. The silver‐nanoparticle‐loaded CL film was investigated for its antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli. This newly developed material showed strong antibacterial properties and thus has potential for use as an antibacterial food‐packaging material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

In vitro and in vivo investigational studies of a nanocomposite‐hydrogel‐based dressing with a silver‐coated chitosan wafer for full‐thickness skin wounds

A nanocomposite reservoir‐type hydrogel dressing of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) was fabricated by a freeze–thaw method and loaded with silver‐nanoparticle‐coated chitosan wafers (Ag–CHWs). The Ag–CHWs were synthesized by a sonication technique with silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and chitosan powder. Scanning electron microscopy images showed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a size range of 10 ± 4 nm on the surface of the chitosan wafers, and the antibacterial efficacy (minimum inhibitory concentration) of the Ag–CHWs was measured against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (32 µg/mL), Staphylococcus aureus, (30 µg/mL) and Escherichia coli (32 µg/mL). The antimicrobial PVA hydrogel showed an improved tensile strength (～0.28 MPa) and gel content (～92%) in comparison with the blank hydrogels. Full‐thickness‐excision wound studies of the nanocomposite dressing on Wistar rats revealed enhanced wound contraction, improved inflammation response, re‐epithelization rate, neoangiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation in comparison to the control group. A flexible, biocompatible, nanocomposite reservoir dressing not only established the chitosan as a stabilizer but also proved the efficacious and safe utility of AgNPs toward chronic wound management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43472.     

Development of microbial protective Kolliphor‐based nanocomposite hydrogels

In this scientific work, a novel class of antimicrobial nanocomposite hydrogels were designed and synthesized by chemical and environmentally bioprocess using Kolliphor, acrylamide, and mint leafs in order to achieve antiseptic property for wound applications. In the bioprocess approach, silver nitrate and gold chloride were nucleated with mint leafs in order to obtain effective free individual nano‐inorganic compounds to provide superior antibacterial assets. The formations of dual inorganic nanoparticles were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, which indicated the size of nanoparticles in the range of approximately 3 ± 2 nm and without agglomeration. The formations of biomaterials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopic–energy dispersive spectrometric studies and their swelling properties were determined. Furthermore, the pure hydrogel and the dual inorganic nanocomposite hydrogels developed were tested for antibacterial activities. When compared with the neat hydrogel, the nanocomposite hydrogels significantly improved their anti‐bacterial activities on Bacillus bacterium. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42781.     

Preparation and antibacterial effects of PVA‐PVP hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles

The poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVA–PVP) hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles were prepared by repeated freezing–thawing treatment. The silver content in the solid composition was in the range of 0.1–1.0 wt %, the silver particle size was from 20 to 100 nm, and the weight ratio of PVA to PVP was 70 : 30. The influence of silver nanoparticles on the properties of PVA–PVP matrix was investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, infrared spectroscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy, using PVA–PVP films containing silver particles as a model. The morphology of freeze‐dried PVA–PVP hydrogel matrix and dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that a three‐dimensional structure was formed during the process of freezing–thawing treatment and no serious aggregation of the silver nanoparticles occurred. Water absorption properties, release of silver ions from the hydrogels and the antibacterial effects of the hydrogels against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were examined too. It was proved that the nanosilver‐containing hydrogels had an excellent antibacterial ability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 125–133, 2007     

Trehalose‐based hydrogel potentially useful for the skin burn treatment

The purpose of this work is the preparation of trehalose hydrogel for dermatological applications, particularly, for skin burn treatment. Trehalose is a disaccharide compound containing hydroxyl groups in its structure susceptible to derivatization. The obtained hydrogel was loaded once with hyaluronic acid, a fundamental component of connective tissue, and again with silver nitrate, an ingredient with antibacterial properties. The trehalose hydrogel was characterized by FTIR spectrometry and ¹H‐NMR. The hydrogel swelling characteristics and release studies of entrapped hyaluronic acid or silver nitrate were evaluated at two pH values: pH 4.5 mimicking physiological conditions and pH 6.5 simulating the burned skin condition. The antioxidant activity of not loaded hydrogel in inhibiting the lipid peroxidation was performed in rat‐liver microsomal membranes, induced in vitro by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (tert‐BOOH). The results confirm the possibility that the trehalose hydrogel can find use in the treatment of various skin lesions, particularly in burn therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44755.     

Preparation of antibacterial temperature‐sensitive silver‐nanocomposite hydrogels from N‐isopropylacrylamide with green tea

This article reports the temperature‐sensitive, green tea (GT)‐based silver‐nanocomposite hydrogels for bacterial growth inactivation. The temperature‐sensitive hydrogels were prepared via free‐radical polymerization using temperature‐sensitive N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer with GT as the hydrogel matrix. The nanocomposite hydrogels were encapsulated with silver ions via swelling method, which was later reduced to silver nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. The temperature‐sensitive silver nanocomposite hydrogels were analyzed by using Fourier transforms infrared, UV–visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry–thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared hydrogels exhibited higher phase volume transition temperature than the NIPAM. The inhibition zone study of the inactivation of bacteria on the developed hydrogels was carried out against Gram negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus), which revealed that the prepared hydrogels are helpful for the inactivation of these bacteria due to the high stabilization of antibacterial properties of the silver nanoparticles. The developed hydrogels are promising for biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45739.     

Ultraviolet‐crosslinked hydrogel sustained‐release hydrophobic antibiotics with long‐term antibacterial activity and limited cytotoxicity

To prolong erythromycin (EM) release and prevent the side effects of EM, a Pluronic F‐127 diacrylate macromer (PF127) was synthesized and then self‐assembled into micelles with their hydrophobic cores loaded with EM. The EM‐loaded micelles were mixed with a photoinitiator to form the EM/PF127 hydrogels rapidly under a low‐intensity UV light. Afterward, the hydrogel properties, antibacterial performance, and cytotoxicity of this novel hybrid hydrogel were investigated. The results show that the EM/PF127 hydrogel had a rapid gelation time. The sustained release of EM reduced its side effects. With controlled antibacterial activity, the use of EM would be safer and more efficient. What is more, the EM/PF127 hydrogel showed a slight cytotoxicity, and this suggests great potential application as antibacterial hydrogels in the prevention of postoperative infection. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40438.     

A novel method for preparing silver/poly(siloxane‐b‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites with multiple properties in the DMF‐toluene mixture solvent

A novel method for preparing silver/poly(siloxane‐b‐methyl methacrylate) (Ag/(PDMS‐b‐PMMA)) hybrid nanocomposites was proposed by using the siloxane‐containing block copolymers as stabilizer. The reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) was performed in the mixture solvent of dimethyl formamide (DMF) and toluene, which was used to dissolve double‐hydrophobic copolymer, as well as served as the powerful reductant. The presence of the PMMA block in the copolymer indeed exerted as capping ligands for nanoparticles. The resultant nanocomposites exhibited super hydrophobicity with water contact angle of 123.3^° and the thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) revealed that the resultant nanocomposites with more PDMS were more heat‐resisting. Besides, the antimicrobial efficiency of the most desirable nanocomposite (Ag/PDMS₆₅‐b‐PMMA₃₀ loaded with 7.3% silver nanoparticle) could reach up to 99.4% when contacting with escherichia coli within 120 min. As a whole, the resultant nanocomposites by the integration of excellent properties of silver nanoparticles as well as siloxane‐block copolymers can be a promising for the development of materials with hydrophobic, heat‐resisting and outstanding antibacterial properties from the chemical product engineering viewpoint. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4780–4793, 2013     

Functionally modified,melt‐electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane mats for wound‐dressing applications

The electrospinning of a polymer melt is an interesting process for medical applications because it eliminates the cytotoxic effects of solvents in the electrospinning solution. Wound dressings made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), particularly as a porous structured electrospun membrane, are currently the focus of scientific and commercial interest. In this study, we developed a functionalized fibrillar structure as a novel antibacterial wound‐dressing material with the melt‐electrospinning of TPU. The surface of the fibers was modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and silver nanoparticles (nAg's) to improve their wettability and antimicrobial properties. TPU was processed into a porous, fibrous network of beadless fibers in the micrometer range (4.89 ± 0.94 μm). The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the successful incorporation of nAg's onto the surface of the fiber structure. An antibacterial test indicated that the PEG‐modified nAg‐loaded TPU melt‐electrospun structure had excellent antibacterial effects against both a Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus strain and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli compared to unmodified and PEG‐modified TPU fiber mats. Moreover, modification with nAg's and PEG increased the water‐absorption ability in comparison to unmodified TPU. The cell viability and proliferation on the unmodified and modified TPU fiber mats were investigated with a mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). The results demonstrate that the PEG‐modified nAg‐loaded TPU mats had no cytotoxic effect on the fibroblast cells. Therefore, the melt‐electrospun TPU fiber mats modified with PEG and nAg have the potential to be used as antibacterial, humidity‐managing wound dressings. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40132.     

Hydrogel–silver nanoparticle composites: A new generation of antimicrobials

Design of consistant and eco‐friendly methods for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is a significant forward direction in the field of application of antibacterial bionanotechnology. One among the available options is hydrogel templates, which are highly useful to achieve this goal. This investigation involves the development of poly(acrylamide)/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel–silver nanocomposites (HSNCs) to achieve AgNPs of ～2–3 nm size in gel networks. The nanocomposite synthesis process is quite convenient, direct, and very fast, and the obtained hydrogel AgNP composites can be used for antibacterial and wound dressing applications. All the nanocomposite aqueous solutions have shown absorption peaks at 420 nm in UV–visible absorption spectrum corresponding to the Plasmon absorbance of AgNPs. X‐ray diffraction spectrum of the HSNC exhibited 2θ values matching with silver nanocrystals. Transmission electron microscopy images of nanocomposites represent discrete AgNPs throughout the gel networks in the range of 2–3 nm. The developed nanocomposites were evaluated for antibacterial application on E. coli. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

In vitro efficacy and toxicology evaluation of silver nanoparticle‐loaded gelatin hydrogel pads as antibacterial wound dressings

The silver nanoparticle (nAg)‐loaded gelatin hydrogel pads were prepared from 10 wt % gelatin aqueous solution containing silver nitrate (AgNO₃) at 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 wt % by solvent‐casting technique. These AgNO₃‐containing gelatin solutions, that had been aged for 15, 12, 8, 8, and 8 h, respectively, showed noticeable amounts of the as‐formed nAgs, the size of which increased with an increase in the AgNO₃ concentration (i.e., from 7.7 to 10.8 nm, on average). The hydrogels were crosslinked with a glutaraldehyde aqueous solution (50 wt %, at 1 μL mL^?1). At 24 h of submersion in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or simulated body fluid buffer (SBF) solution, about 40.5–56.4% or 44.4–79.6% of the as‐loaded amounts of silver was released. Based on the colony count method, these nAg‐loaded hydrogels were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with at least about 99.7% of bacterial growth inhibition. Unless they had been treated with a sodium metabisulfite aqueous solution, these hydrogels were proven, based on the indirect cytotoxicity evaluation, to be toxic to human's normal skin fibroblasts. Lastly, only the hydrogels that contained AgNO₃ at 0.75 and 1.0 wt % were not detrimental to the skin cells that had been cultured directly on them. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Antibacterial antiadhesion membranes from silver‐nanoparticle‐doped electrospun poly(L‐lactide) nanofibers

Electrospun fibrous membranes have been used frequently in biomedical applications, but their simultaneous use as antibacterial agents and in the prevention of cell adhesion on repaired tendons after injury has not been investigated. In this study, silver‐nanoparticle (SN)‐loaded poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) fibrous membranes were prepared by the electrospinning of SNs into PLLA fibers. Micrograph results showed that these membranes were composed of electrospun fibers and that the fibers were incorporated with SNs. From the results of X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetry, we concluded that the SNs were physically mixed into the fibers at the desired content. The mechanical properties were not significantly changed. The preliminary antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus and the synergistic antiproliferative effects of the SN‐loaded PLLA fibrous membranes were observed. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SNs can be directly loaded onto a biodegradable PLLA fibrous membrane via electrospinning to achieve proper material properties with preliminary potential as antibacterial antiadhesion barriers for tendon injury. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles for burn wounds show antimicrobial activity without cytotoxicity

This research introduces a novel dressing for burn wounds, containing silver nanoparticles in hydrogels for infected burn care. The 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt hydrogels containing silver nanoparticles have been prepared via ultraviolet radiation. The formation of silver nanoparticles was monitored by surface plasmon bands and transmission electron microscopy. The concentration of silver nitrate loaded in the solutions slightly affected the physical properties and mechanical properties of the neat hydrogel. An indirect cytotoxicity study found that none of the hydrogels were toxic to tested cell lines. The measurement of cumulative release of silver indicated that 70%–82% of silver was released within 72 hr. The antibacterial activities of the hydrogels against common burn pathogens were studied and the results showed that 5 mM silver hydrogel had the greatest inhibitory activity. The results support its use as a potential burn wound dressing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40215.     

Facile synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of poly(acrylamide‐co‐(β‐cyclodextrin))/silver nanocomposite

Hydrogel/silver nanocomposites have shown immense potential in many biological applications. In this article, a facile method to synthesize poly(acrylamide‐co‐(β‐cyclodextrin))/silver nanocomposites is reported. The silver nanoparticles were in situ synthesized accompanying with the formation of poly(acrylamide‐co‐(β‐cyclodextrin)) hydrogel by gamma irradiation without additional reducing and stabilizing agents. In addition, the nanocomposites were prepared under ambient conditions. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by ultraviolet used to characterize the structure and composition of the synthetic nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscope verified the formation and homogeneous distribution of silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel matrix. The hybrid hydrogel exhibited excellent water‐swelling properties, which could be controlled by varying the mass ratio of acrylamide (AM) to β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) in the hydrogel. Furthermore, the poly(acrylamide‐co‐(β‐cyclodextrin))/silver nanocomposites were found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of both Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1480–1487, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of acrylic acid/itaconic acid hydrogel coatings containing silver nanoparticles

Hydrogel silver nanocomposites have been used in applications with excellent antibacterial performance. Acrylic acid (AA)/itaconic acid (IA) hydrogels silver nanocomposites were prepared and applied as a coating on a textile substrate. Hydrogel matrices were synthesized first by the polymerization of an AA/IA aqueous (80/20 v/v) solution and mixed with 2‐2‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamide) diclorohydrate and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide until the hydrogel was formed. Silver nanoparticles were generated throughout the hydrogel networks with an in situ method via the incorporation of the silver ions and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride. Cotton (C) and cotton/polyester (CP) textile fibers were then coated with these hydrogel silver nanocomposites. The influence of these nanocomposite hydrogels on the properties of the textile fiber were investigated by infrared spectroscopy (attenuated total reflectance), scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and antibacterial tests against Pseudomona aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The better conditions, in which no serious aggregation of the silver nanoparticles occurred, were determined. It was proven that the textiles coated with hydrogels containing nanosilver had an excellent antibacterial abilities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2713–2721, 2013     

Temperature‐responsive catalytic performance of Ag nanoparticles endowed by poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) microgels

In this study, we facilely introduce silver nanoparticles into Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)(Poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA)) microgels and specially focus on the effect of hydrophilic acrylic acid segments on the responsive catalytic performance of silver nanoparticles. The obtained Poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA)/AgNPs composites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The composites as catalysts are applied to the hydrogenation reaction of p‐nitrophenol and the related conditions such as reaction temperature, concentration of p‐nitrophenol, and the loadings of Ag nanoparticles are studied in detail. NIPAM segments of composites conveniently give silver nanoparticles a controllable characteristic for catalytic reaction by their conformation variation. AA segments of composites not only provide good stability and dispersibility for silver nanoparticles but also favor an easier diffusion of p‐nitrophenol to Ag NPs. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:708–718, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Facile fabrication and structural elucidation of lignin based macromolecular green composites for multifunctional applications

The present work deals with the preparation and characterization of lignin based macromolecular polymeric composites and applications thereof. Here lignin is complexed with pectin and/ or gellan gum, to form two different macromolecular green composites LP and LPG. The best ratios screened out through evaluation of nanoparticle characterization and rheology, then confirmed by surface morphology. The superior thermal stability is proved by DSC analysis. The reaction groups involving in complexation are confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopic evaluation where the methoxy or methyl group of lignin interacts with the hydroxyl group of pectin and gellan gum to form nanocomposites. The reduced particle size and surface charge confirm the complexation due to interaction between ionizable functional groups. The applications of these composites are validated by their dye adsorption capacity and anti-microbial properties (after loading of green silver nanoparticles) which proves the multifunctional properties of novel composites. The maximum dye removal efficiency of both composites is independent of initial dye concentration. Dye adsorption capacity is best fitted by Freundlich adsorption isotherms that follow pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics. The antibacterial study of developed silver nanoparticle loaded and unloaded composites shows wide spectrum activity against E. coli and S. aureus, with higher inhibition efficiency against gram-negative organism.     

Plasma‐enhanced deposition of silver nanoparticles onto polymer and metal surfaces for the generation of antimicrobial characteristics

Silver nanoparticle thin layers were deposited onto formaldehyde‐radio frequency (RF)‐plasma‐functionalized medical‐ and food‐grade silicone rubber, stainless steel, and paper surfaces. The silver deposition was carried out under ex situ plasma conditions using the Tollen's reaction. Results from survey and high‐resolution electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy investigations confirmed the presence of thin silver layers on the plasma‐exposed and subsequently modified substrate surfaces. In addition, SEM and AFM demonstrated the nanoparticle‐based morphology of the deposited layers. Our results showed that thin macromolecular layers bearing aldehyde functionalities can be deposited onto silicone rubber, stainless steel, and paper surfaces. The bactericidal properties of the silver‐coated surfaces were demonstrated by exposing them to Listeria monocytogenes. No viable bacteria were detected after 12 to 18 h on silver‐coated silicone rubber surfaces. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1411–1422, 2004