A Biomimetic One-Stone-Two-Birds Hydrogel with Electroconductive, Photothermally Antibacterial and Bioadhesive Properties for Skin Tissue Regeneration and Mechanosensation Restoration

Abstract

Severe skin wounds arising from burns, cancers, and accidents can damage the entire tissue structure, resulting in permanent somatosensory dysfunction in patients. Although emerging hydrogel dressings have shown clinical potential for accelerating wound repair, the use of an individual material to synchronously restore the tissue structure and sensory function of defective skin remains a challenge. Herein, a multifunctional hydrogel that combines electroconductive polydopamine-capped graphene nanosheets (PrGOs) embedded in a dynamically crosslinked dual-polysaccharide (xyloglucan and chitosan) matrix network is presented. The fabricated hydrogels have an adjustable modulus that can be matched to skin tissue at the wound site, owing to the dynamic Schiff-based crosslinking as well as the facile photo-triggered secondary crosslinking. Furthermore, the photothermal activity of PrGO can elevate the local temperature up to ≈50 °C, significantly restraining bacterial growth. These two factors jointly promote the regeneration of skin tissue. Tissue adhesion of hydrogels is also reported that offers a conformable and robust interface that can detect and quantify human movement and physiological signals to mimic the human skin somatosensory system. This hydrogel offers an effective one-stone-for-two-birds material that simultaneously achieves tissue regeneration and multi-signal sensing, promoting the restoration and/or replacement of the structure and function of damaged skins.