A flash graphene composite hydrogel for the photothermal therapy of bacterial infected wound healing

Bacterial infections significantly hinder wound healing, posing challenges for current treatments due to the rise of drug-resistant strains. Here, a novel photothermal composite hydrogel incorporating Flash graphene (FG) was designed for the treatment of bacterial-infected wounds via photothermal therapy (PTT). FG, synthesized through the Flash Joule Heating (FJH) process, exhibits superior dispersion within the hydrogel matrix without requiring chemical modifications, enabling efficient photothermal performance at low concentrations. Upon irradiation with a 1064 nm laser, the FG hydrogel achieves a rapid temperature increase. The surface temperature of the material rose to 72.2 °C within 10 min. Considering the safety of photothermal therapy, the final photothermal temperature of 55 ℃ was selected for the experiment. It provides effective antibacterial action with over 95 % bactericidal efficiency in vitro against Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ). The hemolysis rate and cell compatibility of the material are normal. In vivo experiments further demonstrate accelerated wound healing , with the FG hydrogel group showing complete healing within 12 days. This performance is attributed to the hydrogel’s high photothermal efficiency, biocompatibility , and enhanced mechanical properties, all while maintaining transparency, allowing for real-time wound monitoring. This study highlights FG composite hydrogels as a promising biomaterial for advancing PTT in the healing of bacterial-infected wounds.