Preparation and characterization of copper-crosslinked alginate–hyaluronic acid aerogels as potential wound dressing materials with enhanced antibacterial properties

The development of advanced wound dressing materials with enhanced antibacterial properties is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing infection risks. This study introduces a novel bio-based aerogel composed of copper-crosslinked alginate and hyaluronic acid, synthesized using supercritical gel drying techniques. Alginate and hyaluronic acid polymers are widely used in the pharmaceutical and medical industries because of their nontoxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. This study aimed to create an aerogel that could be used as a potential wound dressing material by crosslinking hyaluronic acid and alginate with copper. The bio-based aerogel was prepared by ionic gelation and supercritical gel drying. The prepared materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Moreover, the aerogel wound dressing properties were evaluated in terms of fluid uptake and antibacterial activity against <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>E. coli</i>. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared aerogels revealed their unique structural and morphological features, which are influenced by copper ion concentration and crosslinking time. Regarding their wound dressing evaluation, both aerogel and hydrogel were found to have antibacterial properties when tested on <i>S. aureus</i> with inhibition zones of (36 mm, 23 mm) and <i>E. coli</i> (31.6 mm, 21 mm) for hydrogel and aerogel, respectively. Also, excellent fluid uptake was found to reach up to 743%. These findings underscore the potential of copper-crosslinked alginate–hyaluronic acid aerogels as innovative wound dressing materials that combine superior antibacterial efficacy with excellent fluid management, paving the way for improved wound healing solutions.