A gold nanoparticle-based photothermal hydrogel assisted by an N-halamine polymer for bacteria-infected skin wound healing

Abstract

Bacteria-infected wounds and antibiotic misuse have become a challenge in the treatment of clinical infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design non-antibiotic-dependent multifunctional wound dressings for the treatment of bacterially infected wounds. In this study, an injectable antibacterial hydrogel (pAMPS–Cl/AuNR@HA–DA) based on gold nanorods (AuNR) and N-halamine (pAMPS–Cl) with significant photothermal antibacterial properties was developed. The obtained pAMPS–Cl/AuNR@HA–DA hydrogel showed a sponge-like structure with excellent injectability, self-healing, tissue adhesion, and good hemocompatibility. In addition, the hydrogel exhibited excellent in vitro antibacterial capacity under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation through the synergistic action of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemical release therapy. It also showed an excellent ability to eliminate bacterial infection and promote wound healing, indicating that the pAMPS–Cl/AuNR@HA–DA composite hydrogel could be a promising dressing for the treatment of skin wounds.