Fabrication and characterization of a novel hydrogel network composed of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone/nano-rGO as wound dressing application

Wound healing is a complicated and dynamic process, and its acceleration and improvement require the preparation of a desirable environment. Wound dressing is one of the most effective external agents in the process of wound healing. The objective of the present study is to investigate the physical, mechanical, and biological characteristics of nano-Reduced Graphene Oxide (nano-rGO)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer network wound dressings. Using the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, we have confirmed the existence of fumaric acid (FA) as the cross-linking agent by creating ester groups. Moreover, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that adding nano-rGO and FA to the hydrogel structure created peaks at 2θ = 10º and 29.5º, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed the formation of a coating with a uniform structure and regular pores. In addition, elemental EDX analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of hydrogel film constituents in the wound dressing structure. The swelling test showed that increasing the amount of nano-rGO in wound dressings decreased the water absorption by 16.33 percent and decreased the Water Vapor transmittance Rate (WVTR) to 26.5 percent. The gel fraction test showed that all hydrogel films have a gel fraction of more than 95 percent. Cytotoxicity and inhibition zone tests on the produced wound dressings showed that by controlling the amount of nano-rGO, we could produce wound dressings with no toxicity on cells that demonstrate desirable antibacterial characteristics.