The Drug‐Loaded Dual‐Network Hydrogels Possessing Both Adhesive and Antibacterial Properties for Skin Dressings

ABSTRACT Double‐network hydrogels exhibit extensive applications within the biomedical domain, encompassing various aspects such as tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and wound dressings. Their notable characteristics, including high mechanical strength, superior adhesiveness, exceptional water retention capacity, and antibacterial properties, offer innovative solutions for numerous challenges faced in the biomedical field. In this study, tannic acid (TA) was employed as a crosslinking agent, and mixed solutions of water and glycerol with different mass ratios were adopted, resulting in the successful synthesis of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/gelatin (GEL) organic hydrogel with remarkable mechanical properties. The incorporation of TA facilitates the formation of robust hydrogen bonds with the PVA chains, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength of the hydrogel. The maximum tensile strength, elongation at break, and toughness value of the hydrogel are 2.5 MPa, 800%, and 1.1 MJ/m 3 . The lap shear adhesive performance test demonstrated that the hydrogel possesses excellent adhesion properties, capable of adhering to various substrates (with the highest adhesion strength observed on wood, reaching 76.8 kPa). Furthermore, the hydrogel can adhere to skin without leaving any residue upon removal. Results from in vitro coagulation tests revealed that the hydrogel fortified with TA effectively promotes blood coagulation on its surface. Antibacterial tests indicated that the TA‐containing organic hydrogel exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus . Additionally, TA can be gradually released from the hydrogel into a phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) solution. Consequently, TA‐loaded hydrogels hold promising potential for application as wound dressings.