Antimicrobial resistance represents a major challenge in wound care, where traditional antibiotics often fail against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Metal oxide nanoparticles are promising antibacterial agents, yet their clinical use is limited by cytotoxicity concerns. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were incorporated into electrospun polysuccinimide (PSI) scaffolds to develop a potential wound dressing material with antibacterial activity and controlled degradation. ZnONPs were synthesized in an organic medium and incorporated into PSI solutions prepared in DMF. Electrospinning enabled the formation of nanofibrous scaffolds, which mimic the extracellular matrix and support tissue regeneration. Characterization was performed using DLS, UV-VIS, SEM, EDX, and TEM, while mechanical testing and antibacterial assays provided functional evaluation. ZnONPs with an average hydrodynamic diameter of ∼200 nm were successfully integrated into PSI fibers of ∼1,800 nm diameter. Incorporation of ZnONPs altered scaffold mechanics, decreasing tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus, indicating a weaker yet more deformable material compared to PSI alone. Antibacterial tests against four bacterial strains relevant to wound infections demonstrated inhibition zones for Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis , with a clear concentration dependence observed. In conclusion, ZnONP-PSI nanocomposites were successfully fabricated and exhibited antibacterial activity along with modified mechanical properties. These findings highlight their potential as advanced wound dressing materials. Further optimization of nanoparticle loading and release kinetics may enhance both the therapeutic effect and structural performance.
Halmoczki et al. (Sun,) studied this question.