Preparation and characterization of chitosan/gelatin/PVA hydrogel for wound dressings

• γ-Ray irradiation is a very suitable method for the formation of hydrogels without cross-linking agent.
• We consider mixing chitosan into gelatin/PVA hydrogels to optimize the hydrogels mechanical properties.
• The CTS/Gel/PVA hydrogels have excellent hemostatic properties.

Chitosan (CS)/gelatin (Gel)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels were prepared by the gamma irradiation method for usage in wound dressing applications. Chitosan and gelatin solution was mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution at different weight ratios of CS/Gel of 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. The hydrogels irradiated at 40 kGy. The structure of the hydrogels was characterized by using FT-IR and SEM. The CS/Gel/PVA hydrogels were characterized for physical properties and blood clotting activity. The tensile strength of CS/Gel/PVA hydrogel enhanced than on the basis of the Gel/PVA hydrogel. The highest tensile strength reached the 2.2 Mpa. All hydrogels have shown a good coagulation effect. It takes only 5 min for the BCI index to reached 0.032 only 5 min when the weight ratio of CS/Gel was 1:1. It means that the hemostatic effect of hydrogels were optimal. And the hydrogrls also showed good pH-sensitivity, swelling ability and water evaporation rate. Therefore, this hydrogel showed a promising potential to be applied as wound dressing.