Plasma-Activated Glycerol Hydrogel With Improved Antibacterial Efficiency and Wound Suitability

Plasma-activated hydrogel (PAH) has demonstrated attractive wide-spectrum antimicrobial functions originating from the store and transfer of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), nevertheless, faces critical limitations in real wound treatment, such as the short-term antibacterial efficiency, poor water retention, and weak adhesion. These limitations are both related to the critical RONS transfer in the complex material system and the interface compatibility. A novel wound dressing based on a glycerol aqueous solution precursor was proposed. The glycerol-water system was activated via atmospheric-pressure surface dielectric barrier discharge in air, with RONS stored within a modified hyaluronic acid network to form plasma-activated glycerol hydrogel (PAGH). Increased RNS concentration and decreased hydrogen peroxide level are observed in plasma-activated glycerol solution. The hydroxyl radical-induced oxidation of glycerol is identified as the crucial component, generating carboxylic acid by-products. Experimental results demonstrate that PAGH could efficiently load reactive species while maintaining high antibacterial activity, along with significantly enhanced water retention, elongation, and freeze resistance. This study elucidates the interaction mechanisms between plasma and glycerol-water systems, along with the synergistic multifunctional effects of PAGH, thereby paving the way for novel clinical applications of plasma-activated media.