Functionalized collagen-based sponge dressing integrating negative pressure wound therapy and photothermal antibacterial treatment for advanced wound management

Abstract

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has proven effective in promoting wound healing. However, developing an NPWT sponge dressing that integrates good biocompatibility, mechanical stability under physiological conditions, and robust antibacterial properties remains challenging. In this study, a multifunctional graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol/collagen (GO/PVA/COL) composite sponge was prepared through a low-temperature foaming process. The introduction of GO significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composite sponge (maximum compressive stress = 20.2 kPa). Cyclic and long-term compression tests confirmed its excellent structural recovery in the wet state (permanent deformation rate 1.33% upon 0.05% GO). In aquatic environments, the composite sponge maintained stable performance under negative pressure suction up to 24 kPa, demonstrating high drainage efficiency. Moreover, GO endowed the composite sponge with a unique photothermal effect, enabling it to achieve inhibition rates exceeding 96% against both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) under NIR irradiation. With the help of the photothermal effect, the composite sponge can effectively promote the repair of ulcerative wounds caused by infection. Additionally, the composite sponge displayed favorable in vitro biodegradability and cell compatibility. These findings highlight the potential of the GO/PVA/COL composite sponge as a novel NPWT dressing and provide a promising strategy for developing high-performance multifunctional wound therapy materials.