Biocompatible quaternized chitosan-based nanocomposite hydrogels with antibacterial and rapid hemostatic properties.

In this study, we developed a quaternized chitosan-based nanocomposite hydrogel by combining dual-network and nanocomposite technology. Firstly, quaternized chitosan (QCS) and chitin nanowhiskers (ChWs) were synthesized and characterized. The quaternized chitosan-based nanocomposite hydrogels were constructed by the radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) and the subsequent cooling process in the presence of QCS, ChWs, and Zn. The chemical structure and morphology of the synthesized hydrogels were analyzed using FT-IR and SEM, revealing that the nanocomposite hydrogels have a remarkable three-dimensional network structure. The effects of QCS, ChWs, and Zn content on the hydrogel's physical and biological properties were systematically investigated. The swelling behavior, mechanical strength, and antibacterial performance of quaternized chitosan-based nanocomposite hydrogels can be effectively modulated by varying their composition. An increase in QCS content led to a notable enhancement in mechanical properties. Specifically, the hydrogel containing 25% QCS exhibited a tensile strength of 391.9 kPa and an elongation at break of 495%. The increased QCS and Zn contents significantly improved the antibacterial properties of the nanocomposite hydrogels. The antibacterial rate against and could reach up to 99%. Furthermore, the QCS-based nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated good biocompatibility and rapid hemostatic ability. We expect that this simple strategy combining nanocomposite technology and dual-network technology will enrich the avenues for exploring hydrogels with excellent mechanical strength, antibacterial activity, and hemostatic performance for biomedical applications such as wound management, hemostatic materials, and infection control.