Alkaline pH-Responsive Polymeric Swelling in Chronic Wound Identification and On-Demand Healing
April 2026
in “
Applied Materials Today
”
Studysummary This study introduced a pH-responsive polymeric wound dressing that enhances healing in chronic wounds by changing shape and drug delivery based on wound pH, achieving a 94.88% healing rate in diabetic mice by day 14. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study introduces a pH-responsive polymeric wound dressing, Res@P(VI-co-MAAc), designed for chronic wounds, particularly in diabetic patients. This dressing utilizes the alkaline pH of chronic wounds to trigger swelling, enabling visual monitoring and on-demand drug release. The polymer's carboxyl groups deprotonate under alkaline conditions, enhancing hydrophilicity and electrostatic repulsion, which drives swelling and drug release. In a diabetic mouse model, the dressing achieved a 94.88% wound healing rate by day 14, promoting hair follicle regeneration and tissue formation. This innovative dressing offers a smart strategy for wound diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
