Preparation and properties of a multi-crosslinked chitosan/sodium alginate composite hydrogel

Wound dressings play an important role in promoting wound healing, and hydrogels with high water content, biocompatibility, and elasticity have broad application in wound dressings. In this study, we have successfully prepared chitosan/sodium alginate /tannic acid (CST) composite hydrogels by dissolving and mixing chitosan/sodium alginate with alkali/urea/water solution and cross-linking multiple times with epichlorohydrin, calcium chloride and tannic acid in turn. The results showed that the CST-31 prepared with a mass ratio of chitosan to sodium alginate at 3:1 had appropriate mechanical properties, high porosity and water retentivity, good biocompatibility and strong antibacterial activity, and could rapidly promote wound healing in mice. In conclusion, CST-31 has an important application prospect as a wound dressing.