Tailoring Drug Release Profiles From Electrospun Alginate Fibers Through Integration of Mesoporous Silica...

Electrospun hydrogels often lack sufficient mechanical integrity for biomedical applications, while nanoparticle-reinforced systems are commonly associated with synthetic matrices or complex fabrication methods. Here, electrospun methacrylated alginate (AM) fibrous hydrogels reinforced with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are introduced as a simple, biocompatible platform for localized drug delivery. The mats are UV-cross-linked in ethanol to maintain fibrous morphology and allow chlorhexidine (CHX) loading from 0.2 to 5 mg ml^{- 1}. Incorporation of 1 wt.% MSNs doubles compressive and tensile strength while reducing swelling by 25%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirm CHX adsorption in mats with and without MSNs. Although both systems exhibit similar initial CHX loading, MSN-containing hydrogels show prolonged antibacterial activity and higher cytotoxicity, indicating sustained CHX retention and release. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy demonstrates reduced CHX release at higher loading in MSN-reinforced mats, unlike MSN-free mats, suggesting strong CHX-MSN-AM interactions and improved retention within MSN mesopores and the AM matrix. These findings show that MSN incorporation tunes both mechanical performance and drug release behavior, supporting localized antimicrobial delivery for wound dressings and implant coatings.