Programmable Temperature‐Capped Dressing for Enhanced Wound Healing, Bacterial Clearance, and Inflammatory Modulation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Reconciling efficient bacterial eradication with tissue safety remains a challenge in photothermal therapy (PTT) because of open‐loop thermal actuation. Herein, we propose a detachable bilayer hydrogel dressing comprising a poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)‐based protective upper layer as a self‐regulating thermal cap, and a Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene/ciprofloxacin (CIP) therapeutic lower layer providing synergistic antibacterial therapy. Sequential replacement of the protection layer enables programmed temperature caps of 45°C for early infection control and 41°C for subsequent repair. Synergistic MXene/CIP effects achieve rapid and effective antibacterial activity (>99%) against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . In an infected rat wound model, the programmable temperature‐capped dressing shortens high‐temperature exposure, attenuates TNF‐α/IL‐6/p‐NF‐κB p65 expression, modulates VEGF/CD31‐associated angiogenic remodeling, and accelerates closure compared with controls. Furthermore, the percolated MXene network endows the therapeutic layer with stable negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior. To explore this extended electronic utility, we demonstrated the dressing's capability for in situ temperature monitoring. Additionally, a benchtop closed‐loop laser control system was constructed to serve as a proof‐of‐concept for future autonomous feedback regulation. Overall, this bioelectronic hybrid platform advances PTT from conventional open‐loop heating toward a thermally capped and feedback‐compatible therapeutic strategy, offering a versatile paradigm for safer infected wound management.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Advanced Functional Materials, 2026 · DOI ↗