A Janus supramolecular hydrogel prepared by one-pot method for wound dressing

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2023-09, Vol.249, p.126112-126112, Article 126112
• Main Authors: Tang, Chenyang, Fei, Xu, Zhao, Wenhui, Tian, Jing, Xu, Longquan, Wang, Yi, Li, Yao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asymmetric adhesion; Modified gelatin; On-demand detachment
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126112

Despite the adhesive hydrogels have gained progress and popularity, it is still an enormous challenge to develop a smart adhesion hydrogel for clinical medicine, which is an asymmetric adhesion hydrogel with on-demand detachment. Motivated by the thermal phase transition mechanism of gelatin, we have synthesized a Janus supramolecular hydrogel dressing with skin temperature-triggered adhesion by a simple one-pot process. This hydrogel has asymmetric and controllable adhesion, which not only can become the external objects barrier but also can achieve repeated adhesion and on-demand detachment triggered by temperature in tens of seconds. This hydrogel presents great mechanical performance (compressive strain of 65 %, 1.38 MPa) owing to the presence of supramolecular interactions in the hydrogel. Additionally, this hydrogel exhibits excellent antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. The synergistic effect of modified gelatin and ionic liquid greatly facilitates wound healing of full-thickness skin with high wound healing efficiency (98.45 %). Therefore, thanks to all these advantages, the Janus supramolecular hydrogel can be applied for wound management and treatment, which has huge potential in healing skin wounds. •A novel Janus supramolecular hydrogel for wound dressing is prepared by simple one-pot method.•The Janus supramolecular hydrogel has asymmetric adhesion property.•The Janus supramolecular hydrogel dressing can achieve painless separation at low temperature.•The synergistic effect of modified gelatin and ionic liquid endows the hydrogel with good wound healing efficiency.