Conjugate electrospun fully inorganic SiO₂/kaolin 3D nanofiber sponges for rapid hemostasis

Uncontrolled bleeding remains a major challenge in trauma and surgical care. Herein, fully inorganic SiO₂/kaolin (SiO₂/K) nanofiber sponges were fabricated by conjugate electrospinning followed by high-temperature calcination. The three-dimensional architecture provided an interconnected porous network, low bulk density, and high water uptake. The optimized S-SiO₂-5K sponge exhibited favorable cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility, with hemolysis below 5% under the tested conditions. Whole-blood coagulation assays and clotting time measurements supported its in vitro hemostatic performance, while scanning electron microscopy observations showed blood cells retained on the material surfaces. In mouse tail amputation, rat tail amputation, and rat liver hemorrhage models, the hemostasis times of the S-SiO₂-5K sponge were 32.0 ± 7.0 s, 79.3 ± 3.1 s, and 58.2 ± 5.4 s, respectively. These results suggest that the hemostatic effect is associated with rapid blood enrichment by the 3D nanofibrous network and potential kaolin-mediated contact activation. This fully inorganic SiO₂/K nanofiber sponge represents a promising platform for rapid hemorrhage control.