Supramolecular interactions-driven aggregation to prepare lipoic acid-bioadhesives for seawater-immersed wounds

Seawater-immersed wounds can be threatened by high pH, high permeability and infection, which may lead to the development of chronic wounds. The present study develops an aggregation strategy for the rapid preparation of α-lipoic acid (LA)-based bioadhesives at room temperature with strong and underwater adhesion for emergency treatment of trauma in maritime activities. The bioadhesives are fabricated from the aggregation of LA, MXene and Ag⁺ through their supramolecular interactions, which can be rapidly formed in mild environments, showing strong interface adhesion without adhesive failure caused by depolymerization, while exhibiting mechanical self-reinforcing. To further improve the adhesive strength, the formation of MXene/Ag⁺/LA interactions was integrated into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) electrospinning to manufacture electrospun film with the adhesion strength as high as 2 MPa. The bioadhesives are sensitive to alkaline environments and can lead to deprotonation of LA. The released H⁺ can instantly adjust the pH of weakly alkaline seawater-immersed wounds to normal pH, while deprotonated LA is released into wounds to exert anti-inflammatory functions. Together with antibacterial property, bioadhesives applied to seawater-immersed wounds provide stable barrier protection and correct adverse microenvironment, promoting wound healing.