Hemostatic Biomaterials for Wound Healing Applications

Hemostatic biomaterials play a pivotal role in controlling bleeding and facilitating subsequent wound repair across a range of clinical and emergency scenarios. These materials are engineered to arrest haemorrhage by combining physical barrier formation, procoagulant activity and tissue adhesion, while often incorporating antimicrobial or immunomodulatory functions. Categories include natural and synthetic polymers, inorganic clays and composite hybrids, presented as sponges, nanofibres, hydrogels or powders. Ideal formulations balance rapid clot initiation with ease of removal, biocompatibility, biodegradability and adaptability to diverse wound geometries. Innovations in surface chemistry, porosity and crosslinking strategies aim to enhance fibrin network formation, minimise secondary bleeding and promote tissue integration. Global needs—from battlefield trauma to low-resource settings—underscore the importance of scalable, safe and effective haemostats that seamlessly transition into wound-healing phases.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the value of inorganic–polymer hybrids and surface-engineered dressings. A nanoclay-infused electrospun membrane was shown to deliver enriched procoagulant sites within a robust yet fluffy framework. High kaolinite loading yielded rapid in vitro and in vivo haemostasis, coupled with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical stability under flow. In parallel, a cotton gauze modified with a catechol-terminated hydrophobic chain achieved a controlled balance of blood wicking and tissue adhesion. This surface treatment promoted the formation of large primary erythrocyte clots, reduced overall blood loss and prevented rebleeding on removal, outperforming standard combat gauze in animal models.

Hemostatic Biomaterials for Wound Healing Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in hemostatic biomaterials for wound healing applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Haemostasis: The physiological process of blood clot formation that prevents excessive bleeding.

Biomaterial: A natural or synthetic substance engineered to interact with biological systems for therapeutic purposes.

Hydrogel: A three-dimensional, water-swollen polymer network capable of conforming to wound sites and delivering bioactive cues.

Nanoclay: Inorganic nanoparticulate clay materials, such as kaolinite or montmorillonite, used to enhance procoagulant activity and structural integrity.

Electrospinning: A fabrication technique that produces fine polymer fibres by applying a high-voltage electric field to a polymer solution.

Superhydrophobic surface: A highly water-repellent interface that minimises blood wetting and facilitates clot detachment after coagulation.

Mesoporous structure: A material characterised by pores with diameters between 2 and 50 nm, used to regulate fluid uptake and factor sequestration.

References

1. Recent advances in the medical applications of hemostatic materials. Theranostics (2023).
2. A Self‐Assembly Pro‐Coagulant Powder Capable of Rapid Gelling Transformation and Wet Adhesion for the Efficient Control of Non‐Compressible Hemorrhage. Advanced Science (2023).
3. Efficient, biosafe and tissue adhesive hemostatic cotton gauze with controlled balance of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. Nature Communications (2022).
4. Robust hemostatic bandages based on nanoclay electrospun membranes. Nature Communications (2021).
5. Inorganic-based biomaterials for rapid hemostasis and wound healing. Chemical Science (2022).
6. Hydrogel-Based Biomaterials Engineered from Natural-Derived Polysaccharides and Proteins for Hemostasis and Wound Healing. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2021).