Collision of hydrogels, chronic wounds, and nanotechnology: A bibliometric analysis from 2009 to 2024

Nanoscale hydrogels hold tremendous potential for chronic wound management, prompting the study to employ a bibliometric analysis of research focusing on hydrogels, chronic wounds, and nanotechnology. This study explores the current global research landscape, identifies influential research foci, and offers perspectives for future development.

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database comprehensively for relevant research regarding the application of hydrogels, chronic wounds, and nanotechnology. Our study performed bibliometric analysis utilizing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R (version 4.3.1) to highlight the most significant research.

Our literature search identified 704 publications between 2009 and 2024 relevant to the utilization of hydrogels, chronic wounds, and nanotechnology. China contributed the most to this area, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences exhibited the highest productivity. Hu Chen from that institution stood out as a prominent researcher in this domain, while the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules was the most prolific journal. The analysis identified key terms such as "nanoparticles" (243), "wound healing" (182), "in vitro" (116), and "hydrogel" (111).

This paper systematically explained advancements regarding nanoscale hydrogels for chronic wound management over the past 15 years. Focal points in this field include drug delivery systems, antimicrobial properties, wound healing, and nanomaterials, while future research must focus on relevant clinical translation.