Influence of N-Succinyl Chitosan Substitution on Hydrogel Properties for Wound Dressings

This study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the application‐related properties of hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and modified chitosan for use as wound dressings. N‐succinyl chitosan (NSC) was synthesized through a ring‐opening reaction under heterogeneous conditions using succinic anhydride. The structure of NSC was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing degrees of substitution of 53%, 66%, and 79% (PMNSC53, PMNSC66, and PMNSC79). Hydrogel sheets were prepared using PVA, Mesona chinensis extract, and NSC in various compositions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the morphologies, while FTIR characterized the functional groups in the hydrogel. The hydrogels exhibited porous structures, with pore size increasing as the degree of substitution increased. Mechanical properties, gel content, swelling behavior, water retention capacity, and water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) were analyzed. A higher degree of substitution resulted in improved swelling, equilibrium water retention, and WVTR. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was assessed to evaluate their potential as biomedical wound dressings. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that controlling the degree of substitution of NSC significantly influences key hydrogel properties. This work also contributes to the advancement of hydrogels for next‐generation wound care applications.