title: Mechanical properties and in vitro characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-nano-silver hydrogel wound dressings.
abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels are materials for potential use in burn healing. Silver nanoparticles can be synthesized within PVA hydrogels giving antimicrobial hydrogels. Hydrogels have to be swollen prior to their application, and the common medium available for that in hospitals is saline solution, but the hydrogel could also take up some of the wound's fluid. This work developed gamma-irradiated PVA/nano-Ag hydrogels for potential use in burn dressing applications. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) was used as nano-Ag precursor agent. Saline solution, phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) pH 7.4 and solution pH 4.0 were used as swelling media. Microstructural evaluation revealed an effect of the nanoparticles on PVA crystallization. The swelling of the PVA-Ag samples in solution pH 4.0 was low, as was their silver delivery, compared with the equivalent samples swollen in the other media. The highest swelling and silver delivery were related to samples prepared with 0.50% AgNO3, and they also presented lower strength in PBS pH 7.4 and solution pH 4.0. Both PVA-Ag samples were also non-toxic and presented antimicrobial activity, confirming that 0.25% AgNO3 concentration is sufficient to establish an antimicrobial effect. Both PVA-Ag samples presented suitable mechanical and swelling properties in all media, representative of potential burn site conditions.
authors: Bioengineering Lab, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department , Health Science Centre, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ; Centre for Medical Engineering Research, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: R N
authors: RN
authors: Oliveira
authors: School of Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rouzé
authors: School of Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Quilty
authors: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology , Fluminense Federal University , Niteroi, RJ , Brazil.
authors: G G
authors: GG
authors: Alves
authors: Institute of Biomedical Sciences , Health Science Centre, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors: G D A
authors: GD
authors: Soares
authors: Bioengineering Lab, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department , Health Science Centre, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors: R M S M
authors: RM
authors: Thiré
authors: Centre for Medical Engineering Research, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: McGuinness
keywords: hydrogel; nano-Ag; polyvinyl alcohol