Hydrogel-Inducing Graphene-Oxide-Derived Core–Shell Fiber Composite for Antibacterial Wound Dressing
Yuliya Kan, Julia Bondareva, Eugene S. Statnik, Elizaveta V. Koudan, Е. В. Ипполитов, М.С. Подпорин, Polina Kovaleva, Roman R. Kapaev, Alexandra M. Gordeeva, Julijana Cvjetinovic, Dmitry A. Gorin, Stanislav A. Evlashin, Alexey I. Salimon, Fedor Senatov, Alexander M. Korsunsky
Abstract
The study reveals the polymer–crosslinker interactions and functionality of hydrophilic nanofibers for antibacterial wound coatings. Coaxial electrospinning leverages a drug encapsulation protocol for a core–shell fiber composite with a core derived from polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol with amorphous silica (PVA-PEG-SiO2), and a shell originating from polyvinyl alcohol and graphene oxide (PVA-GO). Crosslinking with GO and SiO2 initiates the hydrogel transition for the fiber composite upon contact with moisture, which aims to optimize the drug release. The effect of hydrogel-inducing additives on the drug kinetics is evaluated in the case of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) encapsulation in the core of core–shell fiber composite PVA-PEG-SiO2-1x-CHX@PVA-GO. The release rate is assessed with the zero, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic models, where the inclusion of crosslinking silica provides a longer degradation and release rate. CHX medicated core–shell composite provides sustainable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.