Functional integrated hydrogel with swelling–adhesion, antibacterial and conductive properties for acute wound hemostasis and diagnosis-treatment integration

Abstract

Clinical wound management is severely hindered by delayed hemostasis, high infection risk, inefficient repair, and unregulated healing. Herein, a multifunctional KA-Ca²⁺/Cu₂O@CuS composite hydrogel was fabricated using konjac glucomannan (KGM) and acrylamide (AM) cross-linked with Ca²⁺, reinforced by Cu₂O@CuS nanoparticles. The most prominent superiority of this dynamic hydrogel over reported smart dressings lies in its rapid swelling-driven hemostatic performance, forming a synergistic system of “blood-triggered swelling occlusion-adhesive sealing-high-efficiency procoagulation” upon contact with wound exudate. In vitro assays demonstrated a 298% swelling ratio in tissue fluid, robust wet-tissue adhesion (26.3 kPa on porcine skin), rapid self-healing, and excellent biocompatibility (98% NIH3T3 cell survival). Cu₂O@CuS nanoparticles conferred broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (>91% inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). In vivo rat tail amputation models verified rapid hemostasis (115 s) and accelerated wound healing (98.3% closure on day 12). Moreover, the hydrogel senses wound exudate and tearing, enabling “proof-of-concept exudate/strain monitoring”. This multi-effect hydrogel holds great promise for clinical acute hemostasis, wound monitoring, and therapeutic intervention.