Hydrogel-Inducing Graphene-Oxide-Derived Core-Shell Fiber Composite for Antibacterial Wound Dressing

The study reveals the polymer-crosslinker interactions and functionality of hydrophilic nanofibers for antibacterial wound coatings. Coaxial electrospinning leverages a drug encapsulation protocol for a core-shell fiber composite with a core derived from polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with amorphous silica (PVA-PEG-SiO2), and a shell originating from polyvinyl alcohol and graphene oxide (PVA-GO). Crosslinking with GO and SiO2 initiates the hydrogel transition for the fiber composite upon contact with moisture, which aims to optimize the drug release. The effect of hydrogel-inducing additives on the drug kinetics is evaluated in the case of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) encapsulation in the core of core-shell fiber composite PVA-PEG-SiO2-1x-CHX@PVA-GO. The release rate is assessed with the zero, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic models, where the inclusion of crosslinking silica provides a longer degradation and release rate. CHX medicated core-shell composite provides sustainable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Automated summary

The study investigates the interaction and functionality of hydrophilic nanofibers for antibacterial wound coatings. Coaxial electrospinning is used to create a core-shell fiber composite with polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, amorphous silica (PVA-PEG-SiO2) in the core, and polyvinyl alcohol, graphene oxide (PVA-GO) in the shell. Crosslinking with graphene oxide and silica enables the fiber composite to transition into a hydrogel upon contact with moisture, optimizing drug release. The CHX medicated core-shell composite exhibits sustained antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.