<p>The study focuses on bismuth oxide decorated graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol-based hydrogel targeting biomedical applications. Bismuth oxide/polyvinyl alcohol (Bi₂O₃/PVA) and bismuth oxide/graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol (Bi₂O₃/GO/PVA)-based hydrogel were prepared to study the effect of graphene oxide. It was further characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done to confirm the uniform distribution of bismuth oxide on the GO nanosheets. The antibacterial effectiveness was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, revealing that Bi₂O₃/GO/PVA enhanced bactericidal efficacy in GO-enriched hydrogels with 25-mm and 30-mm inhibition zones. Additionally, antioxidant properties were found at 38% and 32%, showing a notable increase in radical scavenging capacity attributable to GO’s reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitigation abilities. Optical characterization, focusing on UV–Vis absorbance and transmittance, demonstrated improved optical clarity and light absorption with the GO-modified hydrogels, potentially enhancing their bio-imaging applications. Bi₂O₃/GO/PVA exhibits a strong absorption of high-energy visible light at 333 and 400&#xa0;nm, which is better than the visible absorption spectrum of Bi₂O₃/PVA that spans the entire visible spectrum at 333&#xa0;nm. The optical analysis of the developed Bi₂O₃/PVA and Bi₂O₃/GO/PVA-based hydrogels suggests that the band gap obtained is 5.13&#xa0;eV and 3.16&#xa0;eV, respectively. The synergistic interaction between Bi₂O₃ and GO within the PVA matrix not only boosts the material’s bio-functional capabilities but also makes it as a promising candidate for antibacterial wound dressings, drug delivery, and other biomedical applications requiring high biocompatibility and multifunctional performance.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>