A Dual-Network Hydrogel with Photothermal Antibacterial Properties for Adaptive Wound Dressing and Accelerated Healing of Infected Wounds

Wound dressings have been shown to play a critical role in the prevention of infection and in the effective adaptation to irregular and large-area wounds throughout the healing process. In this study, a dual-network hydrogel (CPGB) was developed using gelatin (GA) and borax-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel is composed of two discrete networks: the primary network, which is formed by gelatin, and the secondary network, which is constructed through borax-crosslinked PVA. The CPGB hydrogel is prepared rapidly at room temperature by reliance on non-covalent interactions, including borate ester bonds and hydrogen bonds. The material displays injectability and self-healing properties, facilitating minimally invasive application and precise filling of complex wound geometries. The favorable plastic and adaptive characteristics of the material facilitate localized administration, thereby minimizing patient discomfort. Furthermore, the hydrogel's exceptional capacity for moisture retention establishes a conducive environment for wound healing through the promotion of cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. It has been demonstrated that the CPGB hydrogel displays notable photothermal stability when exposed to 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, with temperatures reaching up to 55 °C being achieved. The incorporation of CuS nanoparticles (CuS NPs) into the hydrogel has been shown to confer photothermal antibacterial properties, thereby facilitating the effective eradication of pathogenic microorganisms, with survival rates of approximately 1.15 and 3.71% observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The findings of research conducted on animal subjects suggest that the CPGB hydrogel has the capacity to significantly accelerate the healing process.