Synthesis and Characterisation of semi-interpenetrating network of Polycaprolactone/polyethylene glycol diacrylate/zeolite-CuO as wound dressing

In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)/Copper oxide-exchange zeolites (Z-CuO) were synthesised via the semi-interpenetrating network. UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and SEM analyse the chemical structure of films, ion-exchange of zeolite and copper, and morphological study of the surface, respectively. Moreover, gel fraction, swelling, and water vapour transmission, and mechanical properties of the networks were evaluated. Results showed that increasing the ratio of PEGDA to PCL was followed by rising swelling ratio and water vapour transmission. In addition, adding Z-CuO to polymer structure improved its mechanical properties. Finally, antibacterial and cytocompatability of the films were tested by agar disc diffusion method and MTT assay, respectively. The antibacterial activity results indicated that the film with Z-CuO had the highest antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The MTT results confirmed the cytocompatible nature of PEGDA/PCL/Z-CuO films. Thus, the results indicated that the PEGDA/PCL/Z-CuO films have the potential of being used wound healing.