Homogenized Bacterial Cellulose Incorporated Polydopamine Sponges for Rapid Hemostasis in Traumatic Wounds

Managing bleeding during surgical or traumatic events is crucial to prevent further complications. Traditional cotton dressings are primarily used for cleaning wounds and do not contribute to bleeding control. In this study, we demonstrate a hemostatic dressing in the form of sponges using a simple and sustainable approach. These sponges, composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) as the base matrix and coated with polydopamine (PDA) nanospheres via in situ oxidative polymerization. The BC–PDA sponges exhibited rapid fluid absorption, robust stability, excellent hemostatic ability and antioxidant properties, and biocompatibility with mammalian cells. The best in vitro blood clotting efficacy of HBC–PDA samples was 90% clotting efficacy within 90 s, highlighting their potential as effective hemostatic materials. The presence of amine groups in PDA played a critical role in activating intrinsic coagulation pathways, enhancing blood clotting. This work highlights the successful fabrication of BC/PDA hemostatic sponges with outstanding properties and safety, making them a promising material for clinical applications.