Construction of porous sponge-like PVA-CMC-PEG hydrogels with pH-sensitivity via phase separation for wound dressing

AbstarctTo improve mechanical strength, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels were often prepared through freeze-thaw method. However, they usually exhibited micropores limiting their applications. Hence, macroporous polyvinyl alcohol-carboxymethyl cellulose-polyethylene glycol (PVA-CMC-PEG) hydrogels were prepared through phase separation. Physical properties and biocompatibility experiments were carried. Results indicated that PVA-CMC-PEG hydrogel had asymmetric porous spongy structures and pH-sensitivity. And not all PEG were separated out during phase separation endowing macroporous PVA-CMC-PEG hydrogel better tensile properties compared to macroporous hydrogels that often presented weak mechanical strength. Full-thickness skin defect showed the hydrogel could promote wound closure. In short, PVA-CMC-PEG hydrogels could be used as wound dressings.