Nanozyme based ultra-stretchable, low-hysteresis, and dual-mode antibacterial composite hydrogels for wound healing

Wound care always presents challenges as they are susceptible to bacterial infections and have mechanical compatibility issues with wound dressings, leading to a delayed recovery of the structure and functional integrity of skin tissue. Herein, an iron-based metal-organic framework loaded with gold (Fe-MIL-88NH₂-Au) nanozyme based composite hydrogel (HMAux) with excellent mechanical compatibility and dual-mode antibacterial properties was designed for wound care. To obtain HMAux, Fe-MIL-88NH₂-Au nanozyme with photothermal properties and peroxidase-like and oxidase-like activities was prepared. Then it was introduced into the hydrogel system with a sea-island structure which was prepared <i>via</i> the copolymerization of acrylamide and acryloyl Pluronic F127 (PF127-DA) in the aqueous solution. Using dynamic micelles as the energy dissipation mechanism, double bonds and intermolecular interactions as two crosslinking methods in HMAux make it possess good stretchability (3244 %-4524 %), toughness (593.8 kJ/m³ to 421.5 kJ/m³), and low hysteresis (0.13-0.15). Furthermore, the synergistic photothermal and chemodynamic effects provide good antibacterial performance under mild conditions, with killing rates of approximately 95.02 % and 97.28 % for <i>S. aureus</i> and <i>E. coli</i>, respectively. <i>In vivo</i> experiments have proved that HMAux can effectively adapt to the contour of the wound and treat wound infections.