Improvement of the mechanical properties of chitosan-alginate wound dressings containing silver through the addition of a biocompatible silicone rubber

The benefits of associating chitosan with alginate for the production of wound dressings are well documented. However, the mechanical resistance of these devices is limited. This work aimed to improve the mechanical properties of chitosan-alginate membranes both with and without the microbicide agent AlphaSan((R)) RC2000 (silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate) by incorporating the liquid silicone rubber Silpuran((R)) 2130 A/B. Membranes containing AlphaSan((R)) RC2000 but without Silpuran((R)) 2130 A/B have increased opacity, thickness, and water absorption, but low stability in water and tensile strength. The silicone gel remained in the structure of the formulations even after successive washing steps and its inclusion in the membranes reduced their thickness and swelling in aqueous media, improving their homogeneity, adhesiveness, stability, tensile strength, and flexibility. Thus, the addition of Silpuran((R)) 2130 A/B proved to contribute positively to many relevant, particularly mechanical, properties of chitosan-alginate wound dressings whether or not they contained AlphaSan((R)) RC2000. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41686.