Mussel-inspired blue-light-activated cellulose-based adhesive hydrogel with fast gelation, rapid haemostasis and antibacterial property for wound healing

Uncontrollable bleeding and wound infection remain as the primary challenges for emergency surgical procedures, including deep and non-compressible bleeding in the clinic or on the battleground. To better control haemorrhaging immediately from irregularly shaped and non-compressible wounds, double-network adhesive hydrogels based on cellulose and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-cation copolymer were designed for wound healing. Due to the abundance of hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, cation-π and electrostatic interactions in the double-network adhesives, the hydrogel with good biocompatibility presented tissue-like mechanical strength with Young’s modulus below 20 kPa. The catechol-cation cooperation effect enhances the wet adhesion of hydrogels to skin tissue surfaces. The blue-light-induced fast gelation networks provide rapid haemostasis ability of the hydrogels by sealing blood vessels. The quaternary ammonium cationic polymers have remarkable antibacterial properties and promote blood coagulation by erythrocyte and platelet aggregation. Furthermore, the hydrogel with 2.5% P(DOPMAm-co-MPTC) (AC/PDM2.5) exhibited better tissue adhesion strength than commercially available glue, better haemostatic capability than the gauze based on the mouse-tail amputation model, and higher performance compared to Tegaderm™ in the rat full-thickness skin defect model. These adhesive hydrogels with fast gelling, rapid haemostasis, biocompatibility and antibacterial activity offer great promising applications in wound healing.