A Bimetallic Ca 2+ /Cu 2+ Cross‐Linked Sphingan WL Gum Hydrogel With Injectable, Self‐Healing, and Antibacterial Properties for Wound Healing

ABSTRACT Metal ions are extensively employed in the design of polysaccharide‐based dressings owing to their reversible non‐covalent interactions and bioactivity. This study reports an injectable, self‐healing, and antibacterial wound dressing using a bimetallic Ca 2 + /Cu 2 + cross‐linking strategy in sphingan WL gum. The target hydrogel, designated WL‐Ca‐Cu, was fabricated using a facile soaking–adsorption method. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ion‐polymer coordination bonds. These bonds, along with electrostatic interactions, synergistically reinforce the inherent hydrogen‐bonding network of WL to drive physical cross‐linking. The resulting WL‐Ca‐Cu hydrogel demonstrated excellent water retention (> 80%), injectability, and self‐healing capability. It exhibited sustained ion release (following first‐order kinetics), potent antibacterial efficacy of Cu 2 + against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , and good biocompatibility in hemolysis and L929 cytotoxicity assays. The promising performance in cell scratch assays further supports its pro‐healing potential. Collectively, these findings underscore the significant therapeutic potential of WL‐Ca‐Cu as a multifunctional wound dressing material.