In situ fabric-integrated cellulose hydrogels via one-step crosslinking for silver-based wound dressings

This study presents the development of a hydrogel-based wound dressing by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose and silver nanoparticles into cotton fabric via a one-step method. The objective was to create a cellulose-based wound care material that offers good strength, comfort, moisture management, and antibacterial protection, using an industrially viable, simple approach. Experimental evaluations assessed mechanical strength, stretchability, moisture management behavior, water absorption capacity, and antibacterial activity. Results showed that the material's strength increased with greater amounts of hydrogel and fabric weight. The highest tensile strength of 120 N and the lowest elongation of 52% were achieved with 1.25% hydrogel and a fabric weight of 150 g m^-2. The dressing demonstrated excellent comfort properties, including a fast-wetting time of 1.73 s and a high liquid spreading rate of 17 mm s^-1, which are beneficial for wound healing. Moreover, greater hydrogel content and fabric weight enhanced fluid absorption, making the material suitable for managing wound exudate. The inclusion of silver nanoparticles significantly inhibited bacterial growth around the dressing, confirming its antimicrobial effectiveness. These findings highlight the potential of the newly developed one-step approach for cellulose hydrogel-coated cotton fabric as a multifunctional, effective wound dressing.