Multifunctional electrospun pcl mats with activated carbon and silver ions for wound care applications

This study presents the development of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) mats incorporating activated carbon functionalized with silver ions for advanced wound care applications. The activated carbon was impregnated with 0.5% silver relative to the polymer mass and incorporated into poly(ε-caprolactone) solutions at 2%, 10%, 15%, and 20% proportions. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the presence of activated carbon particles with silver ranging from 400 to 800 nanometers, uniformly distributed. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated high thermal stability of the activated carbon and a secondary mass loss near 300°C, attributed to the decomposition of the silver salt. The resulting electrospun mats exhibited continuous, defect-free fibers, with average diameters decreasing from 1,739 nm in pure polymer mats to 439 nm in mats containing 20% activated carbon with silver, along with progressively darker coloration as the carbon content increased. The membranes showed enhanced exudate absorption and demonstrated antimicrobial, absorbent, and biodegradable properties. Cytotoxicity assays using human keratinocytes indicated cell viabilities above 68% in samples containing up to 15% activated carbon, confirming biocompatibility at clinically relevant concentrations. These results demonstrate that the developed mats are promising candidates for multifunctional wound dressings, effectively combining exudate absorption, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility for advanced wound care applications.