Electroactive Asymmetric Dressing for Spatiotemporal Deep Burn Scarless Healing and Management

An innovative asymmetric wound dressing integrates a quercetin-loaded hydrophilic layer and a ZnO nanoparticle-loaded hydrophobic layer, offering antibacterial protection and moisture balance during burn recovery. Combining electroactive and bioactive properties, it promotes cell migration, differentiation, and skin appendage regeneration. This full-cycle strategy enables spatiotemporal management of burn wounds, ensuring accelerated healing and scar-free regeneration.

Abstract

Burn care and treatment differ markedly from other types of wounds, as they are significantly more prone to infections and struggle to maintain fluid balance post-burn. Moreover, the limited self-healing abilities exacerbate the likelihood of scar formation, further complicating the recovery process. To tackle these issues, an asymmetric wound dressing comprising a quercetin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB@Qu) hydrophilic layer and a zinc oxide nanoparticle-loaded, thermally treated polyvinylidene fluoride (HPVDF@ZnO) hydrophobic layer is designed. This dressing provided antibacterial property and exudate management in the early stages of burn treatment, preventing infection and maintaining moisture balance at the wound site. As healing progresses, the electroactive properties of HPVDF@ZnO and quercetin from P34HB@Qu synergistically regulate cell migration and differentiation, accelerating wound healing and facilitating scar-free regeneration. Furthermore, the wound dressing assisted in the regeneration of skin appendages. This study underscores the full-cycle strategy of versatile wound dressings for spatiotemporal burn wound management from injury to scarless healing.