Property Regulation of Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes with Polyisocyanide to Achieve Efficient Photodynamic Antibacterial Biomimetic Hydrogels

Fabricating antibacterial hydrogels with antimicrobial drugs and synthetic biocompatible biomimetic hydrogels is a promising strategy for practical medical applications. Here, we report a bicomponent hydrogel composed of a biomimetic polyisocyanopetide (PIC) hydrogel and a photodynamic antibacterial membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE). The aggregation behavior and aggregate size of the COEs in water can be regulated using the PIC hydrogel, which could induce COEs with higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production efficiency and increased association of COEs toward bacteria, therefore enhancing the antibacterial efficiency. This strategy provides a facile method for developing biomimetic hydrogels with high antibacterial capability.

Automated summary

The study introduces a dual-component hydrogel composed of biomimetic polyisocyanopetide (PIC) hydrogel and a photodynamic antibacterial membrane-intercalating conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE). The aggregation behavior and size of COEs in water can be controlled by the PIC hydrogel, leading to enhanced antibacterial efficiency. This strategy offers a straightforward method for developing biomimetic hydrogels with high antibacterial capability.