Development of Antibacterial and Hemostatic PCL/Zein/ZnO‐Quaternary Ammonium Salts NPs Composite Mats as Wound Dressings

Abstract Wound dressings are usually employed to maintain suitable conditions around the injured skin to accelerate wound healing. This paper aims to report functional composite dressings combined with polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, self‐assembly zein coating and modified ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for wound management. The synthetic compounds and prepared composite dressings are characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the water vapor transmission rate, hemostatic performance, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility of the composite dressings are systematically tested to evaluate their applicability in wound treatment. The results show that the multilayer dressings can retain moisture and prevent excessive dehydration of wound. In vitro hemostatic test is conducted, and the enhanced blood clotting capacity and the activation of platelets indicate that the desired dressings are able to control hemorrhaging from wound. Meanwhile, the composite dressings with excellent biocidal efficacy against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (6.01 Log within 30 min) and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 (6.04 Log within 30 min) can effectively prevent wound infection. Furthermore, the dressings show no toxicity which are evidenced in hemolysis and cytocompatibility evaluation, and have potential application for wound healing.