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

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)/MoS 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 composites is fabricated for highly efficient sterilization during wound healing under light irradiation. RGO/MoS 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 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/MoS 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 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/MoS 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 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/MoS 2 /Ag 3 PO 4 -incorporated hydrogel has great potential in antibacterial wound healing dressing.