Aleksandra Niedźwiecka

Current wound care still lacks multifunctional dressings capable of providing both structural support and controlled therapeutic activity. Developing such materials requires polymer matrices with tunable physicochemical properties, achievable through the rational selection of components and modifiers. In this study, polymer composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), modified with glycerol and montmorillonite (MMT), were synthesized using a novel and rapid preparation method aimed at producing structurally adjustable matrices. The obtained materials were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and AFM analyses. FTIR spectra confirmed the competitive role of glycerol in reducing cross-linking efficiency and the compensatory effect of MMT in enhancing molecular interactions and structural density. The interaction between the two modifiers resulted in hybrid structures with intermediate organization, neither purely crystalline nor amorphous. SEM imaging revealed that glycerol promotes porosity, while higher MMT content stabilizes the polymer matrix, enhancing surface homogeneity. AFM revealed that the average roughness (1 × 1 μm scans) increased from 0.98 μm (sample B7) to 5.30 μm (sample C7) after glycerol addition. In conclusion, obtained results demonstrate the synergistic and opposing roles of glycerol and MMT, ultimately enabling the design of multifunctional polymer composites and warranting further investigation through XRD, DSC, rheology, and swelling capacity analyses.

Dressing materials are an important element in the wound healing process. They form a physical barrier protecting them from infection (or superinfection) and further mechanical damage. The ideal dressing should provide a moist wound healing environment, thereby promoting fibroblast proliferation, accelerating the process of re-epithelialization, reducing the sensation of pain, discomfort, and the likelihood of infection. Other important characteristics are tissue compatibility, non-toxicity, biodegradability at a rate compatible with wound healing, adequate antimicrobial activity, mechanical strength, sterility, and ease of use (including seamless removal after healing) [1,2,3]. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a cellulose derivative used in a variety of industries. It has been selected for use in the production of hydrogels as wound dressings due to, among other things, its ability to adapt easily to irregularly shaped wounds, absorb exudates, keep the wound moist, and promote autolytic wound debridement. CMC improves wound healing in in vivo models. Nevertheless, it does not meet all the requirements considering all phases of healing such as tunable mechanical properties (like stiffness, flexibility, and elasticity) as well as lack of antimicrobial activity (desirable in dressings) [3,8,10]. That’s why it does not constitute a dressing material on its own and additions of other substances (not necessarily polymeric), as well as functionalization of the composite, are necessary. In this article, an attempt is made to detail modifications of carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel composites that are considered prospective. Modifications using biomolecules, polymers, inorganic materials, as well as crosslinking agents were considered