Reduced graphene oxide loaded with MoS2 and Ag3PO4 nanoparticles/PVA interpenetrating hydrogels for improved mechanical and antibacterial properties

• Main Authors: Chao Zhang, Jiameng Wang, Ruifang Chi, Jing Shi, Yongqiang Yang, Xiangyu Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-12-01
• Series: Materials & Design
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127519306045

Bacterial infections are closely in correlation with chronic wounds, and overcoming these problems is still challenging. Herein, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel incorporated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/MoS2/Ag3PO4 composites is fabricated for highly efficient sterilization during wound healing under light irradiation. RGO/MoS2/Ag3PO4 composite is first prepared by a two-step process containing hydrazine reduction and in-situ deposition, then the hybrid hydrogel is prepared using a freeze-thaw cycle method. After doping with RGO/MoS2/Ag3PO4 composite, the hydrogel shows better mechanical property and swelling ratio. The hybrid hydrogel also exhibits excellent antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) under co-irradiation of 660 nm visible light (VL) and 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light within 10 min because of the synergistic effects rendered by the photodynamic and photothermal antibacterial treatments. The introduction of RGO/MoS2/Ag3PO4 composite has no appreciable influence on the cell viability and cell morphology. Importantly, the hybrid hydrogel effectively reduces the bacterial infection-related inflammation during wound healing. Thus, this RGO/MoS2/Ag3PO4-incorporated hydrogel has great potential in antibacterial wound healing dressing. Keywords: RGO/MoS2/Ag3PO4, PVA hydrogel, Phototherapy, Wound healing