Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Hydrogel: Dielectric Study, Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility

In this work, we intended to investigate the antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, and study the electrical conductivity of the polypyrrole on the surface of the conducting hydrogel such as carboxymethyl cellulose-g-poly (acrylamide-co-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid). Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was employed to follow up the electrochemical double layer that developed at the electrode surfaces. Biocompatible conducting hydrogel showed the establishment of the electrical double layer in a wide range of frequencies, and the DC-conductivity values were in top of the semiconductors range. The addition of polypyrrole not only diminishes the effect of water transformations on conductivity, but also manifests the permittivity’s value (from 1.7 × 106 to 2.4 × 108). In addition, it lowers the charging–discharging loss of energy. Comparing the prepared conductive hydrogels to the ionic liquids, it showed that hydrogels have more ability to be applicable in the energy storage systems. Also, the prepared hydrogels biocompatibility was tested against normal cell line (Vero cells) which recorded the excellent compatibility with cells. The antimicrobial activity was examined against some pathogens; (i) Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (NCTC-10416) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCID-9016); (ii) Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis (NCID-3610); (iii) unicellular fungi: Candida albicans (NCCLS-11) and (iv) filamentous fungi Aspergillus niger (ATCC-22342).