Preparation and characterizations of antibacterial and electroactive polymeric composites for wound healing applications

Polymer nanocomposites have been utilized for wound healing applications. Compared to the conventional polymer composites, conducting polymer nanocomposites comprising a blend of biocompatible polymers with electroconductive and antibacterial nanofillers such as graphene-based nanomaterials and metal/metal oxides, have attracted great attention in this arena due to enhanced physical, electrical and biological characteristics. Herein, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)/graphene oxide/zinc oxide electroconductive and antibacterial composite hydrogel films were fabricated by solution casting technique, for wound healing applications. The physicochemical and conductivity studies were carried out for all the polymer samples. The successful incorporation of the nanofillers and their even distribution into the PVA-CS matrix was validated by the scanning electron microscopy-EDAX, x-ray diffractometer, Fourier-transform infrared, and Raman analytical results. An enhancement in the surface roughness of the nanofiller incorporated composite film was elucidated by the topographical images obtained from AFM analysis. The composite with higher concentration of nanofillers exhibited a maximum conductivity of 0.35 x$$ \times $$ 10-4 Scm-1 compared to the other fabricated composites. A good antibacterial efficacy, minimal hemolytic activity as well as better thrombogenicity were portrayed by the composite films. Additionally, the nanocomposite films exhibited no cytotoxicity and excellent cell attachment and proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the composite with higher particle concentration, is an ideal candidate for futuristic wound dressing applications with electroconductivity, antimicrobial activity, hemostatic ability, and biocompatibility.HighlightsFabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)/GO-ZnO hydrogel films by solvent-castingA maximum conductivity of 0.35 x$$ \times $$ 10-4 S/cm obtained for the composite filmExhibited good antibacterial efficacy and minimal hemolytic activityBetter thrombogenicity and cytocompatibility portrayed by the compositeAn ideal candidate for futuristic wound dressing applications Biocompatible PVA-CS-GO-ZnO polymer composites with excellent electrical and antibacterial properties.image