Facile synthesis of ZnO QDs@GO-CS hydrogel for synergetic antibacterial applications and enhanced wound healing

We have constructed biocompatible antibacterial nanoplatforms on the basis of a hybrid hydrogel via simple electrostatic interaction embedded with thin layer graphene oxide (GO) sheets modified with zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs). The materials possess favorable antibacterial efficacy, thereby providing excellent killing effect for Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) compared with materials that have single diagnosis and treatment mode. The excellent performance stems from the combined effects of hyperthermia produced under the near-infrared irradiation of GO sheets, reactive oxygen species, the release of Zn2+ from ZnO QDs under acidic environment, and the antibacterial activity of hydrogel. The synergy of antibacterial nanoplatforms can be used for wound anti-inflammatory in vivo indicated by the wound healing results. The hybrid hydrogel causes no evident side effects to major organs in mice during wound healing. Therefore, the biocompatible multimodal therapeutic nanoplatforms have great potential for antibacterial activity and wound healing.