The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Illite is a natural layered silicate mineral that exhibits far-infrared emission, antibacterial activity, and adsorption of harmful substances, making it a promising material for biomedical and skincare applications. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel patch incorporating fine illite particles was fabricated as a wound dressing by varying the illite content and electron beam irradiation power. The illite particles were uniformly dispersed within a polymer network to form a composite hydrogel matrix, ensuring enhanced mechanical stability and moisture retention. The prepared hydrogel patch exhibited great flexibility and strong adhesion to the skin without additional adhesives. Furthermore, the incorporation of illite particles enhanced the biological activity of the hydrogel compared to conventional hydrogels. These findings indicate that the multifunctional illite–hydrogel composite patch shows strong potential as an advanced wound-healing dressing for biomedical applications.