Biopolymer-based nanofilms for the treatment of burn wounds

Abstract

A burn wound, the most common type of wound, is an injury to the flesh caused by heat, chemicals, friction, or electricity. There are several types of burn wounds, among which third-degree and fourth-degree burns are the most difficult to treat. In these cases, the burn leads to damage of skin as well as deeper tissues and the vascular system. Therefore burn wounds require management that can protect them from infections and help in faster healing. Nanostructured composites or biopolymer-based nanofilms derived from biocompatible materials help in faster wound healing by regenerating tissues and the vascular system while simultaneously providing antimicrobial activity without toxicity. This chapter discusses recent innovations in treating burn wounds, with a focus on biopolymer-based nanofilms. It also examines the synthesis and surface functionalization of these nanofilms to develop future drugs for healing burn wounds.