Silver nanoparticle-loaded PVA/gum acacia hydrogel: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial study

► PVA-gum acacia hydrogels with AgNPs were synthesized by γ-irradiation. ► Silver nanoparticle loaded hydrogel was found to be thermally more stable. ► The particle size of the AgNPs synthesized was in the range of 10-40 nm. ► The gel point (25.34 kGy) was determined rheologically. ► Hydrogels with AgNPs showed good antibacterial activity.