Stabilization of silver nanoparticles in chitosan and gelatin hydrogel and its applications

•Fabrication of nanosilver-loaded hydrogels stabilized by chitosan or gelatin.•Fabrication of nanosilver membrane from chitosan and gelatin hydrogels.•Effect of capping agents on the characteristics of nanosilver.•Impact of capping agent on the antibacterial effectiveness of hydrogel and membrane. This study aims to investigate the effect of chitosan and gelatin as a stabilizer of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and on their application designs. Ag NPs hydrogels was synthesized and stabilized by capping agents (chitosan and gelatin). Then, Ag NPs membrane was prepared by coating Ag NPs hydrogel on PCL fibrils. Optical and microscopic observation as well as structural properties were studied to compare two stabilizers. Antimicrobial testing was done on both Ag NPs hydrogels and membranes. The results suggest that gelatin provides better stabilizing activity and superior antimicrobial potency in membrane form while chitosan exhibits better antibacterial inhibition in hydrogel form.