Nanofibrous membrane (NFM) intended as wound dressing was prepared by electrospinning a polyurethane (PU) solution containing Ag ions and followed by reduction of Ag ions to Ag nanoparticles. The electrospun PU membrane has unique properties, such as high surface area-to-volume ratio and porosity, controlled evaporative water loss rate, good mechanical properties, good fluid drainage ability, and excellent antimicrobial activity. With an aim to promote scarless wound healing, a bioactive collagen layer was generated on the fiber surface by low temperature oxygen plasma treatment to improve the hydrophilicity property of PU and facilitate covalent binding of collagen molecules to the plasma-treated PU surface. The effects of different operation parameters during electrospinning were studied for their effects on fiber morphology and diameter, which include solvent type, polymer concentration, flow rate, voltage, tip-to-collector distance, and silver ion concentration. The NFM was subject to detailed analysis by SEM/EDS, FE-SEM, TEM, SPM, confocal laser scanning microscopy, ESCA, XRD, FT-IR, and tensile testing. A NFM with no bead formation could be obtained with fibre diameters around 100 nm. The presence of embedded silver nanoparticles and surface-grafted collagen could also be confirmed both qualitatively and quantitatively. After plasma treatment, the NFM’s antimicrobial activity also improved substantially to nearly 100% inhibition of bacterial growth with concomitant increase of membrane hydrophilicity, which facilitates its use as a functional wound dressing. From animal studies, the NFM was better than gauze and commercial collagen sponge wound dressing in wound healing rate. This novel electrospun matrix will have potential as a wound dressing for skin regeneration.

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