Bioactive silicon-iron-containing glycerohydrogel synthesized by the sol—gel method in the presence of chitosan

A novel biologically active nanocomposite glycerohydrogel based on two biocompatible precursors, silicon and iron glycerolates, was synthesized by the sol—gel method in the presence of chitosan (Ch). The composition and structural features of the gel were characterized by advanced analytical methods including transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and atomic emission spectroscopy. It was shown that iron(iii) monoglycerolate undergoes partial hydrolysis under the gelation conditions and exists as a separate nanoscale phase along with the hydrolysis products in cells of the 3D Si-containing polymeric gel network. This network is formed as a result of incomplete hydrolysis of silicon glycerolates in excess glycerol followed by homo- and heterofunctional condensation of silanol groups with the formation of Si-O-Si units containing residual glyceroxy groups at the silicon atom. Chitosan forms numerous intermolecular bonds with the 3D gel network, accelerates the process of gelation, makes the gel morphostructure more ordered, and increases the stability of the gel. The Si-Fe-Ch-containing glycerohydrogel is nontoxic and possesses hemostatic and wound-healing activity, being a promising topical medication for medical and veterinary practice.