Antibacterial and hemostatic hydrogel via nanocomposite from cellulose nanofibers

Bacterial infection and uncontrolled bleeding are the major challenges facing the wound treatment. In order to solve these problems, we have devised a green nanocomposite hydrogel by introducing the aminated silver nanoparticles (Ag-NH₂ NPs) and gelatin (G) to carboxylated cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) was formed by interaction of multicomponent, leading to the non-covalent (dynamic ionic bridges) crosslinked hydrogel CNF/G/Ag. The produced hydrogel dressing with 0.5 mg/mL Ag-NH₂ NPs (CNF/G/Ag_0.5) demonstrated stronger mechanical, self-recovery, antibacterial properties, satisfactory hemostatic performance, and appropriate balance of fluids on the wound bed (2093.9 g/m² per day). More importantly, the wound healing model evaluation in vitro and in vivo of CNF/G/Ag_0.5 showed an outstanding biocompatibility (∼100% infected cell viability) and wound healing efficacy (∼90% healed and 83.3% survival after 14 days). Our study paved a highly promising approach to improve the performance of cellulose-based hydrogel dressing and would also be useful for developing ideal skin wound dressings by other green materials.