Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Stabilized with Biopolymers for Application in Wound-Healing Mixed Gels

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) gels was developed. ZnO NPs were obtained through a sol–gel method with zinc acetate usage as a precursor. Optimization of the method of synthesis of ZnO NPs gel has been carried out. It was observed that the most stable ZnO NPs gels are formed at room temperature, pH = 8 and molar concentration of zinc C(Zn2+) = 0.05–0.2 M. It was shown that the addition of polysaccharide significantly affects the rheological properties and microstructure of ZnO NPs gels. We found that the optimal polysaccharide for the synthesis of ZnO NPs gels is hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is shown that the microstructure of a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose is represented by irregularly shaped particles that are assembled into aggregates, with sizes ranging from 150 to 1400 nm. A significant hysteresis region is observed in a gel of ZnO NPs stabilized with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The process of interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides was investigated. It was shown that the interaction of ZnO NPs with polysaccharides occurs through a charged hydroxyl group. In the experiment, a sample of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose was tested. It was shown that the gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has a pronounced regenerative effect on burn wounds, which is significantly higher than that of the control group and the group treated with a gel of ZnO microparticles (MPs) and hydroxyethyl cellulose. It is also shown that the rate of healing of burn wounds in animals treated with gel of ZnO nanoparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 3) is 16.23% higher than in animals treated with gel of ZnO microparticles with hydroxyethyl cellulose (group 2), and 24.33% higher than in the control group treated with hydroxyethyl cellulose. The average rate of healing of burn wounds for the entire experimental period in experimental animals of group 3 is 1.26 and 1.54 times higher than in animals of group 2 and control group, respectively. An experimental study of a gel of ZnO NPs modified with hydroxyethyl cellulose has shown the effectiveness of its use in modeling the healing of skin wounds through primary tension.