In-situ chargeable, postcharging antibacterial supercapacitor patch with integrated pH sensing for infected chronic...

A major challenge in caring for infected chronic wounds is that conventional antibacterial dressings cannot provide real-time monitoring or on-demand therapeutic intervention. Herein, we report a flexible multifunctional patch that integrates an in-situ chargeable, postcharging antibacterial supercapacitor with a real-time pH sensor for the management of infected chronic wounds. The patch, monolithically integrated on a polyimide film (PI film), comprises a MnO₂/carbon fiber solid-state supercapacitor (CMSC) and a polyaniline-modified carbon fiber (CP)-based open-circuit potential (OCP) pH sensor. Upon in situ charging, the CMSC postcharging effect synergizes with the sharp edges of MnO₂ nanoblades to disrupt the bacterial electron transport chain (ETC). After just 10 min of charging at -1.8 V, the patch achieves >99% lethality against E. coli and S. aureus within 0.5 h. Meanwhile, the pH sensor exhibits a linear sensitivity of 42.64 mV pH^-1 (pH 2-8) with a flexible and reproducible response. Using a silicone-based wound simulation model, we validate the patch's closed-loop functionality: it monitors pH in infected wounds, activates on-demand in situ charging followed by postcharging antibacterial action, and then checks pH recovery in normal wounds. This self-contained, non-antibiotic theranostic platform offers a promising strategy for infected chronic wound care.