Electrospinning Trilayer Dressing of PLA/ZnO with Controlled Released Profiles for Visible pH Monitoring and Effective Exudate Management

Langmuir. 2025 May 6;41(17):11192-11204. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c01044. Epub 2025 Apr 23.

Abstract

To address persistent challenges in wound care, including exudate management, infection prevention, and healing monitoring, this study developed a multifunctional fiber dressing using electrospinning technology. The system integrates a patterned hydrophobic polylactic acid/zinc oxide (PLA/ZnO) inner layer providing antimicrobial protection and exudate drainage; a polyacrylonitrile/polydopamine (PAN/PDA) intermediate water transport layer enabling unidirectional exudate transfer; and an outer PAN-based functional membrane incorporating sodium polyacrylate (SPA), phenol red (PSP), and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) for controlled drug release and visual wound status monitoring. The comprehensive evaluation revealed exceptional performance: rapid exudate removal within 3.35 s, 96 h sustained antibacterial drug release (68.6% cumulative release), pH-responsive chromatic transition (yellow-to-red at pH 5-9), and significant antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone diameters of 10 and 18 mm, respectively). The dressing exhibited a balance of mechanical strength (6.1 MPa tensile strength) and breathability (13.4 mm/s air permeability rate). By integrating three core functions─efficient exudate management, antimicrobial regulation, and intelligent healing monitoring─this multifunctional architecture demonstrates clinical applicability in postoperative care and chronic wound therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Bandages*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Exudates and Transudates* / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Indoles
  • Polyesters* / chemistry
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Tetracycline / chemistry
  • Tetracycline / pharmacology
  • Zinc Oxide* / chemistry

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • Zinc Oxide
  • poly(lactide)
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Polymers
  • Tetracycline
  • polyacrylonitrile
  • Acrylic Resins
  • polydopamine
  • Indoles