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Abstract
Wound healing remains a major clinical challenge, especially in cases where bacterial infection and delayed tissue regeneration complicate recovery, emphasizing the need for multifunctional wound dressings that provide antimicrobial protection, moisture balance, and biocompatibility. In this study, chitosan–zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite hydrogels were fabricated with varying ZnO concentrations (0%, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% w/v) and characterized to evaluate their suitability as advanced wound healing materials. FTIR analysis confirmed successful interaction between chitosan functional groups and ZnO nanoparticles, with observable shifts in O–H/N–H stretching and amide vibration bands. SEM imaging revealed uniformly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles with a size range of 40–70 nm, indicating controlled nanoscale formation. Swelling studies in PBS (pH 7.4) demonstrated moisture retention values of ~400% (0%), ~350% (0.1%), ~310% (0.25%), and ~245% (0.5%), showing a gradual decrease due to increased crosslinking and reduced pore interconnectivity. Mechanical testing showed tensile strength increased from 0.20 MPa (0% ZnO) to 0.28 MPa (0.1%), 0.37 MPa (0.25%), and 0.49 MPa (0.5%), confirming the reinforcing role of ZnO. Antibacterial assays exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (7–19 mm) and Escherichia coli (6–17 mm), demonstrating strong antimicrobial activity at higher ZnO loading. MTT cytotoxicity evaluation using L929 fibroblast cells showed all samples maintained viability above 75%, with the 0.25% ZnO hydrogel achieving the most favorable balance of cell compatibility (~84–86%) and functional performance. Overall, the 0.25% ZnO-loaded hydrogel exhibited optimal structural stability, antibacterial effectiveness, and biocompatibility, suggesting strong potential for clinical wound dressing applications.