A multifunctional biomedical patch based on hyperbranched epoxy polymer and MXene

Biomedical patches play fundamental roles in various applications such as wound closure and tissue regeneration. The hybrid patches integrating versatile properties will prominently improve the therapeutic effects in clinical applications. Herein, an epoxy network loading curcumin and Ti3C2Tx MXenes were developed as a hybrid biomedical patch. The hybrid patch was basically prepared through an epoxy/thiol curing chemistry, and its topological structure can be destructed and rearranged as a vitrimer does due to the active transesterification at high temperature. The resulted hybrid patch exhibits shape-morphing capability, multi-substrate adhesion, self-healing ability, and photothermal effects under 980 nm near infrared (NIR). Additionally, the as-prepared hybrid patch possesses strong UV-shielding, excellent oxidation resistance (ROS scavenging efficiency was 89.3% in 3 min), highly effective antibacterial vitality (more than 99%) against S. aureus and E. coli, and good cytocompatibility. As a proof of concept, the present multifunctional hybrid patch broadens the potential applications in the biomedical field.

Automated summary

In this study, a hybrid biomedical patch containing curcumin and Ti3C2Tx MXenes was developed, demonstrating various functions such as shape-morphing, multi-substrate adhesion, self-healing, and photothermal effects, along with excellent antibacterial and cytocompatibility properties.