Fabrication and in vitro evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol/bio-glass composite for potential wound healing applications

In this study, a novel composite is fabricated by incorporating Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Bio-Glass (BG) via the freeze-thaw method. PVA pre-polymer is prepared in three different concentrations i.e. (2%, 5%, and 10%) by dissolving PVA powder in distilled water by using a hot plate magnetic stirrer at 80° C, and a constant concentration of BG i.e 2% is added into each PVA prepolymer. Total six specimens including (PVA (2%), PVA (5%), PVA (10%), PVA (2%)/BG (2%), PVA (5%)/BG (2%), and PVA (10%)/ BG (2%) were prepared in which pure PVA specimens acts as a control group. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the specimens were examined. Various characterization tests such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling analysis, degradability analysis, hygroscopicity, pH sensitivity, tensile analysis, gel fraction test, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and, contact angle analysis were performed on the samples. SEM analysis showed that with the increase in PVA concentration, the material becomes smoother and more compact. Results from the current study showed that tensile strength, degradation rate, and get content are directly proportional to PVA concentration, while swelling capacity, pH sensitivity, hygroscopicity, WVTR, and hydrophilicity are inversely related to PVA concentration. Moreover, with the addition of BG, tensile strength, degradation rate, pH sensitivity, swelling capability, hydrophilicity, and, gel content of the specimens is increased, whereas, WVTR is decreased and, hygroscopicity remains unchanged. Furthermore, results from this study must be taken a step ahead & biocompatibility must be tested to evaluate the biological performance.