Nanofiber-based wound dressings for bioactive healing applications

Introduction The evolution of wound care technology has led to the emergence of innovative approaches aimed at improving healing. Among these, electrospun nanofibers (NFs) represent a promising approach due to a 3D structure closely resembling the natural extracellular matrix. Their large surface area promotes absorption of exudate, keeping the wound clean and reducing the risk of infection. Another advantage is the ability to load these nanofibers with therapeutic agents, allowing for controlled release and optimization of the healing process. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hyaluronic acid (HA), due to their biocompatible and bioactive properties, are commonly used for biomaterial fabrication. Experimental methods To produce NFs, polymer solutions containing PVA, HA, and CA were prepared by dissolving the polymers in ultrapure water in specific proportions. The electrospinning process parameters were optimized. The resulting NFs were thermally treated at 150 °C to activate crosslinking by CA. Results and discussion Chemical crosslinking by thermal treatments is a simpler and safer method of achieving nanofiber stability. SEM analysis revealed that the fabricated fibers have diameters below 200 nm with a consistent size distribution across different samples. FTIR analysis confirmed the chemical crosslinking of the nanofibers by the esterification process, and DSC analysis evaluated the thermal behavior of the NFs and demonstrated their stability in the physiological range. Swelling tests in PBS solution demonstrated that the thermal-treated nanofibers are insoluble in water and a correlation between the crosslinking time and the reduced dissolution of the samples. Conclusion Nanofibers based on PVA and hyaluronic acid crosslinked with citric acid were successfully produced by electrospinning without the use of organic solvents. Degradation tests in PBS confirmed the stability of the crosslinked nanofiber