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. 2025 Jan 4;11(1):39.
doi: 10.3390/gels11010039.

Investigation of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels and Polycaprolactone-Based Electrospun Fibers as Wound Dressing Materials Based on Mechanical, Physical, and Chemical Characterization

Barkin Aydin  1 , Nihat Arol  1 , Nimet Burak  1 , Aybala Usta  1 , Muhammet Ceylan  2
Affiliations

Investigation of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels and Polycaprolactone-Based Electrospun Fibers as Wound Dressing Materials Based on Mechanical, Physical, and Chemical Characterization

Barkin Aydin et al. Gels. .

Abstract

The aim of this project is to fabricate fiber mats and hydrogel materials that constitute the two main components of a wound dressing material. The contributions of boric acid (BA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) to the physical and mechanical properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) is investigated. These materials are chosen for their antimicrobial and antifungal effects. Additionally, since chitosan forms brittle hydrogels, it is reinforced with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to improve ductility and water uptake properties. For these purposes, PCL, BA, ZnO, PVA, and chitosan are used in different ratios to fabricate nanofiber mats and hydrogels. Mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics are examined. The highest elastic modulus and tensile strength are obtained from samples with 6% BA and 10% ZnO concentrations. ZnO-decorated fibers exhibit a higher elastic modulus than those with BA, though BA-containing fibers exhibit greater elongation before breakage. All fibers exhibit hydrophobic properties, which help to prevent biofilm formation. In compression tests, CS12 demonstrates the highest strength. Increasing the PVA content enhances ductility, while a higher concentration of chitosan results in a denser structure. This outcome is confirmed by FTIR and swelling tests. These findings highlight the optimal combinations of nanofibrous mats and hydrogels, offering guidance for future wound dressing designs that balance mechanical strength, water absorption, and antimicrobial properties. By stacking these nanofibrous mats and hydrogels in different orders, it is expected to achieve a wound care material that is suitable for various applications. The authors encourage experimentation with different configurations of these nanofiber and hydrogel stackings to observe their mechanical behavior under real-life conditions in future studies.

Keywords: PCL; boric acid; chitosan; electrospinning; hydrogel; zinc oxide.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stress–Strain graphs of specimens. (a) Stress–Strain graph of the first specimens. (b) Stress–Strain graph of the second specimens. (c) Stress–Strain graph of the third specimens. (d) Tensile test setup for fabricated fibers. (e) Electrospun mat with 6% ZnO.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Tensile test results of electrospun nanofibers. (a) Ultimate Tensile stress (b) Strain values at failure (c) Elastic module values.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM image of surface morphology. 1 kx magnification (Left), 10 kx magnification (Right).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Contact angle values of electrospun nanofiber with different amounts of BA and ZnO.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Contact angle images of electrospun nanofibers at the first contact.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Contact angle values of hydrogels. Initial contact angle (dashed bars), contact angle of the same drops after 30 s (solid bars).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Contact angle images of hydrogels. (a) CS12, (b) CS12 after 30 s, (c) CS8, (d) CS8 after 30 s, (e) CS6, (f) CS6 after 30 s, (g) CS4, (h) CS4 after 30 s.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Stress–Strain graphs of specimens for compression test. (a) Stress–Strain graph of the first specimen. (b) Stress–Strain graph of the second specimen. (c) Stress–Strain graph of the third specimen. (d) Compression test setup for fabricated hydrogels. (e) A sample for compression test.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Compression test results of hydrogels. (a) Strain values at failure. (b) Ultimate compression stress.
Figure 10
Figure 10
FTIR Spectra of electrospun nanofiber samples PCL, PCL/BA10%, and PCL/ZnO10%.
Figure 11
Figure 11
FTIR Spectra of samples CS12, CS8, CS6, and CS4.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Evaluation of swelling degree of the CS/PVA hydrogels crosslinked with GA.
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