Author(s)

Fei Jiang, Wen Zhang^*, Siyu Guo, Xin Zhang

Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an, China.

Bacterial cellulose/polyacrylic acid (BC/PAA) pH-responsive hydrogels were prepared by free-radical polymerization (in situ) using BC as the raw material and AA as the monomer. The hydrogels were loaded with curcumin (Cur) to prepare pH-responsive intelligent medical dressings. The preparation process of the hydrogels was optimized by a single factor and response surface experiment using their swelling degree as an index. The structures of BC/PAA pH-responsive hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and tensile tester, and the swelling properties, mechanical properties, bacteriostatic properties, and drug release behavior were investigated. The results showed that the BC/PAA pH-responsive hydrogel has a three-dimensional network structure with the swelling rate up to 1600 g/g, compressive strength of up to 8 KPa, and good mechanical properties, and the drug release behavior was in line with the logistic dynamics model, and it has good inhibitory effects on common pathogens of wound infection: E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.

Bacterial Cellulose, Polyacrylic Acid, In Situ Polymerization, pH-Responsive Hydrogel, BC/PAA-Cur Intelligent Medical Dressing

Jiang, F. , Zhang, W. , Guo, S. and Zhang, X. (2022) Preparation and Properties of pH-Responsive Intelligent Medical Dressing Based on Bacterial Cellulose/Polyacrylic Acid. Materials Sciences and Applications, 13, 107-131. doi: 10.4236/msa.2022.133008.