Fuente:
Journal of applied polymer
Lugar:
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Photothermal-responsive and conductive hydrogel.
ABSTRACT
Wound healing is frequently accompanied by bacterial infections, and the ongoing antibacterial activity can impact the healing process. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a smart antibacterial material that can be utilized and halted at will. Herein, we fabricated a multifunctional hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel integrated with novel conductive polypyrrole–polydopamine (PPy/PDA) nanoparticles. The hydrogel network is crosslinked via boronate ester bonds, forming a hydrogel with a porosity of approximately 60%, and rheological experiments demonstrate its excellent self-healing ability. This composite hydrogel exhibits superior photothermal conversion efficiency and electrical conductivity, which are synergistically enhanced by the incorporation of PPy/PDA nanohybrids. Near-infrared irradiation serves as a noninvasive stimulus to trigger its antibacterial activity, achieving 99% bactericidal efficacy against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus upon NIR exposure. Electrical characterization reveals a conductivity range of 10−4 to 10−3 S/cm, enabling its application as a sensitive strain sensor for real-time monitoring of joint flexion and other biomechanical movements. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrates robust tissue adhesion properties and favorable biocompatibility profiles. These findings highlight the potential of this multifunctional hydrogel as an intelligent wound dressing for integrated wound monitoring and on-demand infection control.