Injectable Photothermally Responsive Hydrogel for Treating Bacterial Infections

Materials that prevent infection, maintain optimal moisture levels, and support tissue regeneration are critical to wound care management. The present work investigates hydrogels synthesized using two-dimensional (2D) Mo x Re 1– x S 2 nanosheets as the photothermal component in a polymeric mixture that imparts phase change properties, formed of Pluronic F-127 and carboxymethyl chitosan. The research evaluated the antibacterial efficacy and wound-healing performance of the hydrogels in a model wound. The study led to an injectable hydrogel, PF127/CMC/Mo 0.66 Re 0.34 S 1.85 with enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the controls and remarkable photothermal behavior. Notably, as the temperature increased from 20 to 35 °C, the hydrogel exhibited a significant storage modulus transition from 0 to 6.7 kPa, revealing its dynamic and thermoresponsive nature. Furthermore, the hydrogel exhibits shear-thinning behavior, indicating its suitability for injectable applications. Beyond its favorable rheological properties, the PF127/CMC/Mo 0.66 Re 0.34 S 1.85 hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility, as demonstrated in NIH 3T3-GFP cells. A proof-of-concept study using the scratch test as a wound healing model in NIH 3T3-GFP cell culture demonstrated that cell migration was significantly enhanced compared to the control, indicating the potential of the hydrogel for wound healing.