Mussel-inspired Methacrylic Gelatin-dopamine/Ag Nanoparticles/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels with Improved Adhesive and Antibacterial Properties for Applications as Wound Dressings

A novel strategy was developed to prepare the methacrylic gelatin-dopamine (GelMA-DA)/Ag nanoparticles (NPs)/graphene oxide (GO) composite hydrogels with good biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and antibacterial activity. Mussel-inspired DA was utilized to modify the GelMA molecules, which imparts good adhesive performance to the hydrogels. GO, interfacial enhancer, not only improves mechanical properties of the hydrogels, but also provides anchor sites for loading Ag NPs through numerous oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface. The experimental results show that the GelMA/Ag NPs/GO hydrogels have good biocompatibility, and exhibit a swelling rate of 202±16%, the lap shear strength of 147±17 kPa, and compressive modulus of 136± 53 kPa, in the case of the Ag NPs/GO content of 2 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity of the hydrogels against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria is dependent on the Ag NPs/GO content derived from the release of Ag⁺. Furthermore, the GelMA/Ag NPs/GO hydrogels possess good adhesive ability, which is resistant to highly twisted state when stuck on the surface of pigskin. These results demonstrate promising potential of the GelMA-DA/Ag NPs/GO hydrogels as wound dressings for biomedical applications in clinical and emergent treatment.