Abstract
Alginate-ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO(nano)) composite wound dressing membranes were prepared with two different ZnO(nano) concentrations (0.03 and 0.20 g ZnO/g sodium alginate) and cross-linked with two different calcium treatments (low and high Ca(++)concentration) to evaluate the influence of nanoparticle content and cross-linking degree on membrane attributes. ZnO(nano) addition did not significantly alter the mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, swelling degree in water and the alginate amorphous nature of the nanocomposite membranes. The increase in cross-linking degree, on the other hand, altered the microstructure of the membranes, increased the tensile strength and reduced the water vapor permeability of the nanocomposite membranes. The presence of ZnO(nano) in alginate membranes granted them antibacterial activity in vitro against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and substantially increased the absorption capacity in phosphate buffer and fetal bovine serum solutions, validating their potential use as wound dressings.