Polyvinyl alcohol and alginate bio-composite film containing titanium dioxide nanotubes for skin injury repair

This study explores the potential of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate (SA) blend polymer films with embedded titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NT) for wound healing applications. The nanocomposite film (PVA+SA@TiO2NT) was fabricated via a simple solvent casting process. The synergistic interaction between PVA and alginate significantly enhanced the film's stability in aqueous environments without compromising its weight. After 24 hours of immersion, the film exhibited a substantial swelling capacity (836±6%) and good WVTR ((282±4%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of a smooth and random pore structure within the film. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful formation of hydrogen bonds between PVA and alginate, along with the presence of Ti-O bonds, indicating successful incorporation of TiO2NT into the PVA+SA matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further corroborated the presence of TiO2NT. In vitro biocompatibility studies demonstrated the non-cytotoxic nature of the PVA+SA@TiO2NT bio-composite film. Additionally, in vitro wound healing studies suggest its potential as a promising biomaterial for wound dressing applications. These findings warrant further investigation to elucidate the complete mechanisms of action and optimize the nanocomposite's properties for clinical translation.