Antibacterial and Temperature-Regulating Cellulose Fibers for Enhanced Wound Healing and Infection Control

Multifunctional textiles integrating antimicrobial and thermal-regulatory properties are urgently needed for wound care and personal protection. Here, we developed antibacterial and thermoregulatory Lyocell fibers through covalently grafting aloin and integrating graphene oxide (GO) with phase-change microcapsules (PCMs). The optimal Functional fiber 2 (3% aloin, 4 mg/mL postimmersion aloin, 0.75% GO, and 30% PCMs) exhibited a cylindrical morphology with protrusions and microvoids, and demonstrated 27.61 J/g phase change enthalpy, 16.18 cN tensile strength, and 22.24% breaking elongation. Under standardized shake-flask conditions, Functional fiber 2 completely inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth, and antibacterial efficacy remained at 90.21% and 87.81% after 30 washing cycles. In S. aureus-infected rat wounds, the fiber accelerated healing, reduced the wound diameter by approximately 77% via 14-day treatment, prevented bacterial infection/inflammation, and enhanced angiogenesis. Our fibers are promising for manufacturing protective textiles and medical supplies, also showcasing potential in outdoor protection.