Investigation of moisture transfer properties of viscose and polyester fibers in spunlaced nonwoven wound dressings

Wound healing requires dressings to provide a favorable microenvironment. However, current dressing research lacks systematic study on moisture transfer, posing challenges for design and development of dressings. To address this gap, the present study aims to explore the wet transfer properties of two types of dressings prepared using hydrophilic viscose fiber and crystalline polyester fiber, which exhibits hydrophobic characteristics, as raw materials, through the application of spunlace technology. Given the pivotal role of pore structure in facilitating moisture transfer within dressings, this research further delves into its responsiveness to various hydroentanglement process parameters, including mass per unit area, jet pressure, and cross-lapping angle. In order to quantify the wet transfer capabilities of the dressings, their liquid absorption and moisture conductivity performances were characterized. Results indicated that an increase in mass per unit area, jet pressure, and fiber web cross-lapping angle led to a decrease in porosity and average pore size. Hydrophilic fibers demonstrated superior absorption capabilities due to surface functional groups and enhanced capillary action, while hydrophobic fibers exhibited better moisture conductivity in low-surface-tension environments due to resistance to swelling and optimized pore structures. The study highlights the significant influence of processing parameters on the structural and functional properties of dressings. The moisture transfer mechanisms of dressings provide valuable insights for producing and designing moist wound dressings.