The wound dressing market has been shifting from traditional gauze to advanced wound dressings. The demand for these products is expected to increase further, driven by the aging population and the rising incidence of burns and chronic wounds. In the ...
The wound dressing market has been shifting from traditional gauze to advanced wound dressings. The demand for these products is expected to increase further, driven by the aging population and the rising incidence of burns and chronic wounds. In the wound dressing market, foam dressings are extensively utilized for their superior exudate absorption capabilities and moisture vapor transmission properties. However, the moist environment created by wound dressings can potentially facilitate bacterial growth and contamination, which may in turn result in adverse outcomes such as delayed wound healing. As a result, there is increasing interest in developing foam dressings with intrinsic antibacterial activity to reduce the risk of infection and facilitate effective wound healing. Silver, well known for its strong antibacterial activity, is one of the most widely used antimicrobial agents. However, its relatively high cost compared to other agents, along with the emergence of silver-resistant bacterial strains and its inherent cytotoxicity, has raised concerns regarding its safety and prudent use. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can render existing antimicrobial agents ineffective, underscoring the need for the development of novel antibacterial materials. This study presents copper nanoparticle/silica complexes as a material with novel antimicrobial activity. Copper nanoparticles, fabricated through the chemical reduction method, possess a large surface area that contributes to their potent antimicrobial activity. These nanoparticles were attached to silica, known for its excellent biocompatibility, to form the complexes. The formation of the complexes was verified through SEM, and their biocompatibility was demonstrated through cytotoxicity experiments. In addition, antimicrobial tests confirmed the excellent antimicrobial activity of polyurethane foam dressings containing the complexes. In conclusion, the copper nanoparticle/silica composite represents a promising candidate for a novel antibacterial material capable of reducing infection risk and promoting effective wound healing and management.