pH-Responsive Medical Dressing Based on Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticle/Silk Fibroin Composite Fibers

Wound dressings play a crucial role in wound treatment. Silk fibroin fiber membranes prepared via electrostatic spinning have generated medical wound dressings, exhibiting good biocompatibility with hemostatic, antimicrobial, and pro-healing properties. A pH-responsive ZnS/SF composite fiber membrane was prepared by loading zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles into a silk fibroin fiber membrane via in situ polymer matrix growth. The composite fiber membranes produced under the optimized conditions were successfully loaded with nanoscale ZnS particles. They had a dense reticular structure and high-water absorption with good biocompatibility and hemostatic properties. Upon exposure to an acidic microenvironment at the wound site, ZnS reacted with H+, giving a sustained release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and zinc ions (Zn2+), possessing strong bactericidal activity and pro-cell migration effects, facilitating angiogenesis. The composite fiber film is effective in helping to further promote wound healing when it is used as a wound dressing. This pH-responsive multifunctional ZnS/SF composite fiber membrane has potential applications in medical wound dressings.