Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance
<b>Objectives</b>: Hydrogels produced using the freeze–thaw method have demonstrated significant potential for wound management applications. However, their production requires precise control over critical factors including freezing temperature and the choice of matrix-forming excipient...
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2024-10-01
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| author | Anna Górska Ewelina Baran Justyna Knapik-Kowalczuk Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny Marian Paluch Piotr Kulinowski Aleksander Mendyk |
| author_facet | Anna Górska Ewelina Baran Justyna Knapik-Kowalczuk Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny Marian Paluch Piotr Kulinowski Aleksander Mendyk |
| author_sort | Anna Górska |
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| description | <b>Objectives</b>: Hydrogels produced using the freeze–thaw method have demonstrated significant potential for wound management applications. However, their production requires precise control over critical factors including freezing temperature and the choice of matrix-forming excipients, for which no consensus on the optimal conditions currently exists. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the effects of the above-mentioned variables on cryogel performance. <b>Methods</b>: Mechanical properties, absorption capacity, and microstructure were assessed alongside advanced analyses using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (LF TD NMR). <b>Results</b>: The results demonstrated that fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a molecular weight above 61,000 g/mol is essential for producing high-performance cryogels. Among the tested formulations, an 8% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) PVA<sub>56–98</sub> solution (Mw~195,000; DH = 98.0–98.8%) with 10% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) propylene glycol (PG) provided the best balance of stretchability, durability, and low adhesion. Notably, while −25 °C is often used for cryogel preparation, freezing the gel precursor at −80 °C yielded superior results, producing materials with more open, interconnected structures and enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity—deviating from conventional practices. <b>Conclusions</b>: The designed cryogel prototypes exhibited functional properties comparable to or even surpassing commercial wound dressings, except for absorption capacity, which remained lower. Despite this, the cryogel prototypes demonstrated potential as wound dressings, particularly for use in dry or minimally exuding wounds. All in all, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical and functional properties of PVA cryogels, establishing a strong foundation for the development of advanced wound dressing systems. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b5892c6d87a48189d772f2edbe4d49f2025-08-20T01:54:08ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232024-10-011611138810.3390/pharmaceutics16111388Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and PerformanceAnna Górska0Ewelina Baran1Justyna Knapik-Kowalczuk2Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny3Marian Paluch4Piotr Kulinowski5Aleksander Mendyk6Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Kraków, PolandInstitute of Technology, University of the National Education Commission, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, PolandFaculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Physics and SMCEBI, University of Silesia, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1a, 41-500 Chorzów, PolandCHDE Polska S.A, Biesiadna 7, 35-304 Rzeszow, PolandFaculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Physics and SMCEBI, University of Silesia, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1a, 41-500 Chorzów, PolandInstitute of Technology, University of the National Education Commission, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, PolandDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland<b>Objectives</b>: Hydrogels produced using the freeze–thaw method have demonstrated significant potential for wound management applications. However, their production requires precise control over critical factors including freezing temperature and the choice of matrix-forming excipients, for which no consensus on the optimal conditions currently exists. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the effects of the above-mentioned variables on cryogel performance. <b>Methods</b>: Mechanical properties, absorption capacity, and microstructure were assessed alongside advanced analyses using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (LF TD NMR). <b>Results</b>: The results demonstrated that fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a molecular weight above 61,000 g/mol is essential for producing high-performance cryogels. Among the tested formulations, an 8% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) PVA<sub>56–98</sub> solution (Mw~195,000; DH = 98.0–98.8%) with 10% (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) propylene glycol (PG) provided the best balance of stretchability, durability, and low adhesion. Notably, while −25 °C is often used for cryogel preparation, freezing the gel precursor at −80 °C yielded superior results, producing materials with more open, interconnected structures and enhanced mechanical strength and elasticity—deviating from conventional practices. <b>Conclusions</b>: The designed cryogel prototypes exhibited functional properties comparable to or even surpassing commercial wound dressings, except for absorption capacity, which remained lower. Despite this, the cryogel prototypes demonstrated potential as wound dressings, particularly for use in dry or minimally exuding wounds. All in all, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical and functional properties of PVA cryogels, establishing a strong foundation for the development of advanced wound dressing systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1388cryogelshydrogel wound dressingspolyvinyl alcoholphysical cross-linking |
| spellingShingle | Anna Górska Ewelina Baran Justyna Knapik-Kowalczuk Joanna Szafraniec-Szczęsny Marian Paluch Piotr Kulinowski Aleksander Mendyk Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance Pharmaceutics cryogels hydrogel wound dressings polyvinyl alcohol physical cross-linking |
| title | Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance |
| title_full | Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance |
| title_fullStr | Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance |
| title_short | Physically Cross-Linked PVA Hydrogels as Potential Wound Dressings: How Freezing Conditions and Formulation Composition Define Cryogel Structure and Performance |
| title_sort | physically cross linked pva hydrogels as potential wound dressings how freezing conditions and formulation composition define cryogel structure and performance |
| topic | cryogels hydrogel wound dressings polyvinyl alcohol physical cross-linking |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1388 |
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