Development of antibacterial hydrogels with fluoropolymers and silver nanoclusters

Silver nanoclusters (NCs) possess precise and tunable structures characterized by their unique properties, yet a single component often underperforms in practical applications. In this work, a series of stable and highly effective antibacterial gels were prepared by incorporating fluoropolymer (perfluoro-2, 5-dimethyl-3, 6-dioxactyl glycol acrylate-co-acrylic acid, FAA) into aqueous solutions of (NH 4 ) 6 [Ag 6 (mna) 6 ] (Ag 6 -NCs). It can be quickly gelated within a few seconds to achieve the rapid transformation of one-dimensional into three-dimensional structures. These gels are formed through the layering of nanowires, and their mechanical properties can be tailored by adjusting the FAA concentration. The assembly process of Ag 6 -NCs/FAA hydrogels was investigated by comparing it with various poly carboxylic acids, neutralized FAA, and aqueous AgNO 3 solutions under identical experimental conditions. This assembly results from various interactions, including hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the hydrogel system demonstrated improved antibacterial activity due to the presence of Ag ions and fluorine atoms. The functional composite of materials, achieved through heterogeneous assembly, promoted the design of metal NC materials and furthered the development of macro manufacturing technology.