In order to control pathogenic microorganisms, three polymer compositions were prepared and tested. First, a water-soluble positively charged polycomplex was synthesized via the electrostatic binding of anionic polyacrylic acid to an excess of polyethylenimine to enhance the biocidal activity of the polycation. Second, an aqueous solution of AgNO₃ was added to the polycomplex, thus forming a ternary polycation-polyanion-Ag¹⁺ complex with an additional antimicrobial effect. Third, the resulting ternary complex was subjected to UV irradiation, which ensured the conversion of Ag¹⁺ ions into Ag nanoparticles ranging in size mainly from 10 to 20 nm. Aqueous solutions of the polymer compositions were added to suspensions of the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa, with the following main results: (a) Upon the addition of the binary polycomplex, 30% or more of the cells survived after 20 h. (b) The ternary complex killed S. aureus bacteria but was ineffective against P. aeruginosa bacteria. (c) When the ternary complex with Ag nanoparticles was added, the percentage of surviving cells of both types did not exceed 0.03%. The obtained results are valuable for the development of antibacterial formulations.

Metal–polymer nanocomposite polyvinyltriazole–silver nanoparticles were obtained using one-pot synthesis in irradiated aqueous solutions of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (VT) and silver ions. Gel permeation chromatography data show that upon radiation initiation, the molecular weight of poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) increases with increasing monomer concentration. To study the kinetics of polymerization and the features of the radiation–chemical formation of nanoparticles, UV-Vis spectroscopy was used. TEM images show a relatively small average size of the forming nanoparticles (2–3 nm) and a narrow size distribution, which shows the effective stabilization of nanoparticles by triazole substituents at a molar ratio of VT and silver ions of 25/1. The addition of ethyl alcohol was used to increase the efficiency of synthesis and suppress the crosslinking of macromolecules in solution. The results of the work show that aqueous–alcoholic solutions of 1 wt.% VT can be used to obtain soluble nanocomposite materials. 10 wt.% monomer solutions have prospects for use in the preparation of polymer gels filled with nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized with poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVT) have been synthesized via a one-pot manner in irradiated solutions of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (VT) and Au(III) ions. The transmission electron microscopy examinations have shown that the sizes of nanoparticles formed range from 1 to 11 nm and are affected by the ratio of VT to gold ions. To study the kinetics peculiarities of the VT polymerization and assembling of AuNPs, UV-Vis spectroscopy was used. The analysis of the data obtained reveals that an inhibition period, influenced by Au(III) concentration, is followed by the polymerization of a monomer. Importantly, the absorbed doses, corresponding to the onset of rapid polymerization, correlate with the doses at which the accelerated formation of AuNPs begins. The kinetics aspects, which could lead to such an effect, are discussed.

The radiational chemical production of silver nanoparticles offers promising prospects for the synthesis of the antibacterial materials in the matrix of th