Double enhanced piezoelectric wound dressing for nonarticular zones

Abstract

Piezoelectric wound dressings with robust antibacterial properties are essential for preventing infections and promoting healing in low-strain (∼5%) non-articular regions, where conventional strain-responsive dressings exhibit limited efficacy. To address this challenge, we developed a self-powered fibrous dressing using polarized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers incorporating tetragonal barium titanate (BT), leveraging BT's piezoelectric coefficient to boost electromechanical conversion. A homemade dynamic stretching testing device simulated skin deformation and showed that 8% PVDF-BT composites generated 3.1 V under 5% strain-insufficient to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) eliminating 99% bacteria within 30 minutes while maintaining biocompatibility. The in vivo studies revealed exceptional healing performance, achieving 80% wound closure by day 7 and complete regeneration with smooth epidermal tissue by day 12. This study proposes a dual-enhancement strategy—combining material hybridization (PVDF-BT) and optimized polarization—to design strain-adaptive piezoelectric dressings for low-deformation anatomical sites. The optimized PVDF-BT system demonstrates significant potential for self-powered wound management, synergizing electrical stimulation and ROS-mediated antibacterial action to accelerate tissue repair in clinically challenging low-strain non-articular zones.