Ag and MoO₃ Nanoparticle-Containing Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Membranes for Wound Dressings

Herein, we report the effect of different reducing agents on Ag-MoO3/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers for their promising potential as advanced wound dressings. The nanofibers were treated with NaOH, NaBH4, sodium citrate, and UV light, and their properties were evaluated. Water contact angle measurements revealed that NaOH treatment resulted in a less wettable surface, while NaBH4 and sodium citrate treatments led to more wettable surfaces. UV light treatment induced a slight increase in the surface wettability. Antibacterial inhibition zone tests showed that NaOH and UV treatments exhibited significant inhibitory effects against both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, while NaBH4 and sodium citrate treatments displayed moderate inhibitory effects. Moreover, silver release profiles demonstrated a sustained release of silver ions over time, with sodium citrate treatment exhibiting a higher release rate. MoO3/polyacrylonitrile displayed a substantially lower stress value, 73% less than that of the blank polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber. This decrease in the stress value is advantageous for wound dressings, as it allows for improved flexibility and conformability to the wound site. Overall, these findings provide insights into the surface wettability, antimicrobial properties, and silver ion release capabilities of Ag-MoO3/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers under different treatments, highlighting their potential for wound dressing applications