Biomass-Derived Composite Sponges with Synergistic Hemostatic and Antibacterial Efficacy for Emergency Wound Care

Rapid and pressure-free hemostasis combined with antimicrobial activity is highly desirable for emergency wound management, yet remains challenging to achieve using sustainable biomass-based materials. Herein, we report a multifunctional porous sponge constructed from chitosan (CS), sodium alginate (SA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) via a polyelectrolyte coupling strategy. By optimizing the CS/SA ratio and introducing CMC as a hydrogen-bonding reinforcement component, the resulting sponge exhibits an interconnected porous architecture, favorable mechanical resilience under wet conditions, and rapid fluid uptake. The synergistic integration of cationic CS and anionic polysaccharides enables strong blood cell and protein interactions, promoting efficient clot formation without external compression. Meanwhile, the intrinsic antibacterial activity arises from CS-induced bacterial membrane disruption combined with microenvironment modulation by the polysaccharide network. In vivo evaluation using a mouse liver hemorrhage model demonstrates rapid bleeding suppression and significantly reduced blood loss compared with conventional gauze, together with favorable tissue compatibility and accelerated wound healing behavior. This work provides a sustainable and facile strategy for designing biomass-derived hemostatic sponges that integrate rapid intrinsic hemostasis, antibacterial functionality, and biocompatibility, offering a promising platform for next-generation wound management materials.