Fine‐Tuning the Endcap Chemistry of Acrylated Poly(Ethylene Glycol)‐Based Hydrogels for Efficient Burn Wound Exudate Management
Manon Minsart, Nicolas Deroose, Laurens Parmentier, Sandra Van Vlierberghe, Arn Mignon, Peter Dubruel
Abstract
Abstract Most commercial dressings with moderate to high exudate uptake capacities are mechanically weaker and/or require a secondary dressing. The current research article focuses on the development of hydrogel‐based wound dressings combining mechanical strength with high exudate absorption capacities using acrylate‐endcapped urethane‐based precursors (AUPs). AUPs with varying poly(ethylene glycol) backbone molar masses (10 and 20 kg mol −1 ) and endcap chemistries are successfully synthesized in toluene, subsequently processed into UV‐cured hydrogel sheets and are benchmarked against several commercial wound dressings (Hydrosorb, Kaltostat, and Mepilex Ag). The AUP materials show high gel fractions (>90%) together with strong swelling degrees in water, phosphate buffered saline and simulated wound fluid (12.7–19.6 g g −1 ), as well as tunable mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus: 0.026–0.061 MPa). The AUPs have significantly ( p < 0.05) higher swelling degrees than the tested commercial dressings, while also being mechanically resistant. The elasticity of the synthesized materials leads to an increased resistance against fatigue. The di‐ and hexa‐acrylated AUPs show excellent in vitro biocompatibility against human foreskin fibroblasts, as evidenced by indirect MTS assays and live/dead cell assays. In conclusion, the processed AUP materials demonstrate high potential for wound healing application and can even compete with commercially available dressings.