2.2.2. Synthesis of CMC hydrogel post loaded Ag nano-particle
Optimum conditions for preparation of CMC hydrogel (obtained from Section 2.2.1) were utilized to prepare hydrogel paste in form of thick disk. The disk was steeped in distilled water for 24 h, then transferred to silver nitrate solution (10 mg AgNO3 in 30 ml distilled water) for another 24 h. The disk was taken out and put in trisodium citrate solution (20 mg dissolved in 30 ml distilled water) for another 24 h to reduce Ag+ ions into silver nano-particles within the swollen gel. The dark brown color of the disk indicated formation of silver nano-particles. The disk was dried in an oven, grinded, and finally sieved with mesh size No. 350 to yield fine hydrogel containing silver nano-particles