Exploring the Impact of Ceramic Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Wound Dressings and their Influence on Wound Healing and Drug Release

Abstract

Wound dressings play a vital role in facilitating wound healing by maintaining a moist environment at the wound site to promote cellular migration and proliferation. Traditional wound dressings are often limited by shortcomings such as insufficient moisture retention, lack of antimicrobial activity and low mechanical strength. In recent years, ceramic reinforced composite wound dressings have gained attention due to their ability to overcome these limitations. Ceramic reinforcing phases like hydroxyapatite (HA), aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in polymer matrices enhance moisture absorption, provide antimicrobial activity and improve mechanical properties. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on ceramic reinforced composite wound dressings, with a focus on investigating their effect on wound healing, drug release behavior and mechanical properties. Firstly, an overview of the wound healing process and requirements of an ideal wound dressing are presented. Factors affecting moisture absorption, drug release and mechanical properties of wound dressings are then discussed. Recent advances in HA, Al₂O₃ and ZnO reinforced composite dressings are reviewed, and their wound healing, drug release and mechanical performances are analyzed and compared. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of ceramic reinforced wound dressings are outlined. Through this systematic analysis, important insights on materials selection, fabrication techniques and structure-property relationships of advanced wound dressings are provided.