Development OF pH-sensitive wound dressings using PVA/PAA hydrogels and bioactive glass nanoparticles doped with cerium and cobalt

Proper management of chronic wounds is critical to promoting healing and improving patients' quality of life by reducing pain, preventing infection, and restoring function to affected areas. As a result, multifunctional dressings that reduce the need for systemic medications have been investigated in recent years. In this study, we developed a responsive nanocomposite based on a bilayer hydrogel of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) loaded with bioactive glass nanoparticles containing cerium and cobalt. Tensile tests showed that the mechanical strength of the prepared materials depends on the mechanical behavior of PVA and the amount of BG added to the hydrogel. The obtained samples exhibited high hydrophilicity, pH responsiveness with greater absorption at alkaline pH, water vapor permeability, and fluid handling capacity similar to commercial dressings. In addition, flow cytometry indicated cell viability and the prepared hydrogels exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. These materials have potential as biomaterials for wound care due to their pH-responsive behavior, which allows for the controlled release of therapeutic ions.