The ammonium persulfate induced polymerization of acrylamide in the presence of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent were used to prepare crosslinked hydrogels containing silver ions. Subjecting this hydrogel to reduction with sodium hydroxide brought to focus the nanosilver hydrogel composites. Characterization of the latter, including proof of existence of silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel, was made. The number of silver nanoparticles embedded in the hydrogel matrix was higher at higher concentration of AgNO3 used in the preparation of the nanosilver hydrogel composite. The characterization was performed by the use of ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The swellability of the hydrogel containing nanosilver particles was also studied, and the dependence of the swellability on the abundance of silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel composite was verified. It was further disclosed that the kinetic model matched the experimental data; meanwhile, the diffusion of water into the hydrogel was non-Fickian type. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2168-2174, 2010