A flexible and hemostatic chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, carbon dot nanocomposite sponge for wound dressing application

For decades, wound healing has been the focus of many researchers around the world, and their final objective is the development of effective approaches capable of accelerating the healing procedure. On the other hand, wound dressings with high flexibility, rapid hemostasis, good biocompatibility, and suitable porosity have received increasing attention. In general, skin trauma with uncontrolled bleeding is one of the main challenges in the management of clinical wounds. In the study, nanocomposite sponges of chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carbon dots (CDs) were successfully fabricated by using the freeze-drying method. The physicochemical properties of the prepared nanocomposite sponges were analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectros-copy, scanning electron microscopy, porosity, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate, and mechanical tests. The results show that the obtained CS/PVA/CDs nanocomposite sponges had high porosity, hydrophilicity, good water absorption capacity, and flexibility. In the following, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, hemolysis, and blood clotting exhibited favorable biocompatibility and nontoxicity. Besides, in vivo hemostatic potential tests on rat tail, liver, and leg injuries indicate that the sponge had high hemostatic efficiency. Taken together, the re-ported results indicate that the fabricated CS/PVA/CDs nanocomposite sponges could be used as wound dressings.

Automated summary

Wound healing has been a major research focus, with the aim of developing effective approaches to accelerate the healing process. Flexible and highly porous wound dressings with rapid hemostasis, good biocompatibility, and suitable porosity are gaining increasing attention. In this study, nanocomposite sponges of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/carbon dots were successfully fabricated and evaluated for their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and hemostatic efficiency. The results demonstrate that the fabricated CS/PVA/CDs nanocomposite sponges exhibit high porosity, hydrophilicity, good water absorption capacity, flexibility, and favorable biocompatibility. They also show high hemostatic efficiency in in vivo tests on rat injuries. Therefore, these nanocomposite sponges have the potential to be utilized as wound dressings.