“Stiff‐Elastic” Binary Synergistic Fibrous Tape with Thermal‐Triggered Shrinkable and Shape Recoverable Performances for Wound Closure

Abstract

AbstractThe emerging mechanically active wound dressing has been perceived as one of the most effective strategies to accelerate wound closure in a non‐invasive manner. However, the development of wound dressing with body temperature‐stimulated shrinkage behavior and superior mechanical capability is still a severe challenge. Here, a thermal‐shrinkable, stretchable, and tough fibrous tape is developed via the construction of “stiff‐elastic” binary component, as well as manipulation of the fiber stretching and phase separation. The resultant polyurethane (PU)/polyvinyl butyral (PVB) fibrous membrane (FM) shows a rapid and considerable shrinkage of 70.0% after exposure at 37 °C for 12 h. The shrunk PU/PVB FMs exhibit excellent mechanical performance including high elongation of 364.4%, large toughness of 26.6 MJ m−3 and rapid thermal‐recoverable capability with 80.4% and 71.8% restoration of stress and dissipated energy respectively. The in vivo study in rat full‐thickness skin model with 2 cm‐diameter circular wounds demonstrates that the thermal‐shrinkable PU/PVB FMs can enhance wound contraction and healing. Furthermore, the ex vivo rabbit organ model indicates the possibility of thermal‐shrinkable PU/PVB FMs in defect contraction of diverse tissues. This work may offer a promising way in the development of body temperature‐triggered mechanically active fibrous dressings for defects repair.