Antimicrobial hydrocolloid composite sponge with on-demand dissolving property, consisting mainly of zinc oxide nanoparticles, hydroxypropyl chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol

Effective anti-infection prophylaxis for chronic wounds can reduce the risk of wound infection and improve healing rates. The use of good anti-infection wound dressings is particularly important. In this paper, an antimicrobial composite hydrocolloid sponge dressing with zinc oxide nanoparticles, hydroxypropyl chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol as the main components was prepared using freeze-drying of the formulated suspensions. The characterizations by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed; the antibacterial activity was determined; the on-demand dissolving properties were evaluated; and the basic properties such as porosity, vapor permeability, and water absorption were measured. The results showed that, when the mass ratio of HPCs/PVA was 6:4, the porosity, the steam permeability, the water absorption ratio, and dynamic complete dissolving time in 1 % acetic acid aqueous solution, respectively, reached the optimum value of 63.2 %, 57.7 %, 54.4, and 35 min. Antibacterial activity experiments showed that the sponges significantly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. In conclusion, the above results indicate that the prepared hydrocolloid composite sponge has good air permeability, water absorption, antibacterial activity, and on-demand dissolving property and has potential applications in anti-infection treatment of hypo-exudative chronic wounds and pressure sore prevention.