Fabrication of a Lignin-Copper Sulfide-Incorporated PVA Hydrogel with Near-Infrared-Activated Photothermal/Photodynamic/Peroxidase-like Performance for Combating Bacteria and Biofilms

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and biofilms are among the most difficult challenges in infection treatment. Herein, lignin-copper sulfide (LS-CuS) nanocomposites were incorporated into a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel to fabricate a LS-CuS@PVA composite hydrogel with near-infrared-activated photothermal, photodynamic, and peroxidase-like performance. The antibacterial tests of LS-CuS@PVA exhibited the highest antibacterial rate that caused 3.8-log and 4.8-log reductions of colony forming units (CFUs) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of H2O2 under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation for 10 min. The significantly improved bactericidal performance could be attributed to the synergistic effects of hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the LS-CuS@PVA hydrogel could eradicate the already formed biofilm and inhibit biofilm formation. Considering the highly effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of the LS-CuS@PVA hydrogel, this work could provide new insights for the design of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composite hydrogels for wound healing and wound dressing.