A Double-Layer Hydrogel Dressing with High Mechanical Strength and Water Resistance Used for Drug Delivery

Hydrogel dressings provide a moist wound healing environment, absorb the exudates of the wound, and have better biocompatibility than traditional dressings. However, it is still difficult to meet the needs of modern medicine due to the defects in drug burst release, weak mechanical strength, and poor water retention. To solve these problems, we developed a double-layer (DL) hydrogel based on β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC) via a layer-by-layer method. Inspired by natural coconut, this hydrogel consisted of a drug release layer (DRL) and a mechanical support layer (MSL). In our design, the introduction of β-CDP into the DRL slowed the drug release rate of the DL hydrogel. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the hydrogel was improved by immersing the MSL in a calcium chloride/boric acid solution. Combining these two layers, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the DL hydrogel reached 1504 kPa and 400%, respectively. More interestingly, the release mechanism of DL hydrogel conformed to the diffusion-relaxation-erosion model, which was different from traditional hydrogel dressings. Therefore, the as-prepared DL structure represents a feasible solution for fabricating high-performance mechanical hydrogel dressings with sustained drug release properties, and the DL hydrogel has potential to be used for medical dressings applied in daily life.