An Electroconductive and Antibacterial Adhesive Nanocomposite Hydrogel for High‐Performance Skin Wound Healing

Abstract Multifunctional hydrogel adhesives inhibiting infections and enabling the electrical stimulation (ES) of tissue reparation are highly desirable for the healing of surgical wounds and other skin injuries. Herein, a therapeutic nanocomposite hydrogel is designed by integrating β‐cyclodextrin‐embedded Ag nanoparticles ( CD AgNPs) in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix enhanced with free β‐cyclodextrin (CD) and an atypical macromolecule made of β‐glucan grafted with hyaluronic acid (HAG). The main objective is to develop a biocompatible dressing combining the electroconductivity and antibacterial activity of CD AgNPs with the cohesiveness and porosity of PVA and the anti‐inflammatory, moisturizing, and cell proliferation‐promoting properties of HAG. The last component, CD, is added to strengthen the network structure of the hydrogel. PVA/CD/HAG/ CD AgNP exhibited excellent adhesion strength, biocompatibility, electroconductivity, and antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria. In addition, the nanocomposite hydrogel has a swelling ratio and water retention capacity suitable to serve as a wound dressing. PVA/CD/HAG/ CD AgNP promoted the proliferation of fibroblast in vitro, accelerated the healing of skin wounds in an animal model, and is hemostatic. Upon ES, the PVA/CD/HAG/ CD AgNP nanocomposite hydrogel became more efficient both in vitro and in vivo further speeding up the skin healing process thus demonstrating its potential as a next‐generation electroconductive wound dressing.