Photothermal-Responsive Multifunctional Hydrogels as Integrated Smart Carriers for Antibiotic Controlled Release and
Shi Lan1, Mengnan Chu1, Shuang Zhao1
1College of Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 8, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel hydrogel to adsorb and reuse antibiotics, combating bacterial resistance and environmental pollution. The material shows potent antibacterial effects and promotes wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Antibiotic overuse fuels bacterial resistance, creating an urgent need for environmental remediation strategies.
- Antibiotic residues in the environment pose a significant threat to public health and ecosystem stability.
- Hydrogel materials offer unique properties for developing innovative solutions to pollution and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a photothermal-responsive hydrogel for adsorbing and reusing the antibiotic aureomycin (CTC).
- To investigate the synergistic antibacterial effects of the hydrogel via photothermal action and controlled drug release.
- To evaluate the hydrogel's efficacy in treating wound infections and promoting tissue regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a multifunctional P(AM-NIPAM)/BP-Au hydrogel incorporating gold nanoparticle-modified black phosphorus nanosheets.
- Adsorption of aureomycin (CTC) from wastewater using the developed hydrogel.
- Evaluation of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under near-infrared light irradiation.
- Assessment of the hydrogel's performance as a wound dressing in infected wound models.
Main Results:
- The P(AM-NIPAM)/BP-Au hydrogel effectively adsorbed CTC from wastewater.
- Synergistic antibacterial effects were achieved through photothermal stimulation and temperature-controlled CTC release.
- Significant inhibition of high concentrations of E. coli and S. aureus was observed.
- The hydrogel accelerated infected wound healing and promoted epithelial tissue regeneration.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel system offers a promising "adsorption-reuse" strategy for managing antibiotic pollution and curbing drug resistance.
- This multifunctional hydrogel demonstrates potential for treating wound infections and enhancing tissue repair.
- The study provides a novel approach for environmental remediation and biomedical applications, addressing critical challenges in public health.
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