Multifunctional bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel with tannic acid (TA)-modified MXene for antibacterial photothermal therapy and accelerated wound healing

This work reports the development of an advanced multifunctional hydrogel system designed to address the challenges of infectious wound healing and tissue regeneration. We constructed a polyvinyl alcohol–borax/GelMA hybrid hydrogel matrix, endowing the photocurable hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties and self-healing capability. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a naturally derived biopolymer synthesized by specific microbial strains, was incorporated into the hydrogel matrix to enhance its mechanical properties, structural stability, and biocompatibility, while also serving as a scaffold for cellular adhesion and proliferation. Additionally, the hydrogel was functionalized with tannic acid (TA)-modified MXene nanosheets, which imparted superior antibacterial efficacy and enabled photothermal therapy under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. In vitro evaluations confirmed the hydrogel's excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial performance, while in vivo studies demonstrated its ability to significantly accelerate the healing of infectious wounds. This was achieved by effectively reducing bacterial load, promoting tissue regeneration, and alleviating local inflammation under NIR irradiation. These findings highlight the potential of this BC-based hydrogel system as a robust platform for combating bacterial infections, facilitating wound healing, and supporting tissue regeneration in the context of complex skin injuries.