Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/sericin/calcium bentonite rapid hemostatic sponge fabricated by ambient pressure drying with excellent hemostatic performance and biocompatibility.

The fabrication of porous hemostatic sponges by ambient pressure drying (APD) technique offers advantages such as low energy consumption, low cost, and high safety. However, preventing the structural collapse in porous hemostatic sponges produced by this method remains a significant challenge. This work fabricated a multifunctional rapid hemostatic sponge (CSSBT-APD) composed of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sericin (SS), and calcium-based bentonite (ACBT) under ambient pressure. By replacing water with low-surface-tension ethanol through solvent exchange, the capillary forces generated during solvent evaporation are reduced. CMC forms electrostatic coordination with SS and Fe3+, while the loaded inorganic reinforcing nanomodule ACBT establishes a dense and stable hydrogen-bonded hybrid network with the CMC/SS framework. The incorporation of ACBT further enhances the sponge's structural strength and hemostatic capability. CSSBT-APD sponge features a super hydrophilic surface (Water contact angle is zero), rapid liquid absorption capacity (30 s to reach liquid absorption equilibrium), rich porous structure, and excellent antibacterial properties. These properties collectively meet the engineering requirements for hemostatic materials, with the sponge demonstrating excellent performance in both in vitro and in vivo hemostatic tests. This work pioneers a new design concept for hemostatic sponges and provides valuable insights for ambient-pressure fabrication strategies.