Fabrication and Study of Copper and Iron Doped PBG / PVA Composite Wound Dressings

ABSTRACT Chronic wound treatment requires multifunctional dressings with antibacterial activity and favorable biological properties. In this study, Cu‐doped phosphate bioactive glasses (PBG) were incorporated into poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel to develop antibacterial wound dressing materials. The effects of Cu‐doped PBG incorporation on the structural properties, ion release behavior, antibacterial activity, and cytocompatibility of the hydrogels were systematically investigated. The synthesized Cu‐doped PBG exhibited an antibacterial efficacy of 99.99% and the PVA‐PBG composite hydrogels dressing achieved antibacterial rates exceeding 98% against both E. coli and S. aureus at a PBG loading of 15 wt%, while maintaining excellent biocompatibility and a favorable blood clotting index (BCI = 18.81%). Overall, the PVA‐PBG composite hydrogels developed in this study integrate controlled ion delivery, antibacterial functionality, and cytocompatibility, demonstrating promising potential as a multifunctional antibacterial dressing material.