Double cross-linking oxidized sodium alginate with Ag-based metal-organic framework and borax as an antibacterial spray-filming hydrogel for bacterial barrier

• A spray-filming hydrogel was developed using Ag-MOF, O-Alg, and borax. • Hydrogel formed a protective film in just 5-30 seconds upon application. • Significant antibacterial activity observed against E. coli and S. aureus . • Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel maintained over 70% cell viability with HFF-1 cells. • Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel holds a promising bio-platform for wound dressings. Hydrogels with spray-filming ability still face difficulties preventing infections, mainly when used on mass wounds. These challenges arise due to their lack of flexibility, antibacterial activity, and slow protective film formation on the wound. This study developed a spray-filming hydrogel using an amine-functionalized silver-based metal-organic framework (Ag-MOF), oxidized alginate (O-Alg), and borax (BX). The designed double cross-linked O-Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel exhibited superior spray-filming ability by utilizing dynamic Schiff base and boronic ester bonds. Various methods were employed to analyze and confirm the structure and characteristics of the hydrogel films. Furthermore, the gelation process of O-Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel was found to occur within 5-30 s, allowing for rapid film formation through spray application of the two-precursor mixture. An antibacterial study showed significant activity against gram-negative and positive bacteria, with an inhibition zone measuring about 1.3 ± 0.1 cm. Notably, the bacterial barriers test demonstrated that the O-Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel films effectively prevented the growth of E. coli and S. aureus for 12 h. The hydrogels also exhibited good cytocompatibility with human skin fibroblast cells (HFF-1, over 70% cell viability). As a result, the O-Alg/Ag-MOF/BX hydrogel holds a promising bio-platform for potential use in wound dressings, particularly in scenarios involving large and irregularly shaped injuries.