A Novel Hybrid Nanocomposite of Curcumin, Silver, and Polyaniline in a PMAA–EGDMA Network for Enhanced Electrochemical and Antibacterial Performance

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a novel multifunctional nanocomposite platform based on silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs), curcumin (CUR), and polyaniline (PANI), all embedded within a crosslinked poly(methacrylic acid–ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (PMAA–EGDMA) network. The synthesis involved CUR‐functionalization of Ag‐NPs, followed by the in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline, and final entrapment within the pH‐responsive hydrogel matrix for stability and mechanical robustness. Characterization by FTIR, Raman, SEM‐EDX, and DLS confirmed a stable spherical morphology with an average size of 170 nm and a zeta potential of −18 mV. Electrochemical analysis using cyclic voltammetry (CV) demonstrated a significantly enhanced redox activity for the final composite compared to individual components, exhibiting increased peak currents and more defined redox pairs, indicative of improved electron‐transfer kinetics. The platform also exhibited a potent synergistic antibacterial effect. While Ag‐NPs or CUR alone were largely ineffective (MIC > 500 µg/mL against S. typhimurium ), the nanocomposite showed marked potency, achieving minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 25 µg/mL against B. cereus and S. typhimurium . The integrated design, emphasizing the hierarchical combination of conductive and bioactive components within the PMAA–EGDMA matrix, successfully yields a single system with simultaneously enhanced electrochemical performance and antibacterial efficacy.