Piezocatalytic H 2 ‐Evolving Gradient‐Porous Antibacterial Hydrogel Foam for Electrotherapy of Infected Pressure Ulcers
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pressure ulcers (PUs) represent a critical global healthcare challenge. Sustained off‐loading of tissue stress, microenvironmental regulation, and bacterial infection control are requirements for PU‐preventive dressings. Herein, we engineer a multifunctional gradient porous piezoelectric hydrogel foam (PAL‐Au@BT) integrating potent antibacterial activity, anti‐inflammatory action, electrically stimulated pro‐regenerative capacity, unidirectional exudate transport, and effective pressure dissipation to treat bacterial‐infected PUs. Uniquely, PAL‐Au@BT enables piezocatalytic generation of anti‐inflammatory H 2 and piezoelectric potential due to the encapsulated gold‐coated BaTiO 3 concurrently with ionic liquid‐mediated antibacterial ability, thereby achieving ROS scavenging, electrical stimulated cell proliferation, and bacterial eradication tri‐modal therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the architecturally engineered gradient pores of the PAL‐Au@BT facilitate unidirectional fluid transport and dynamic pressure dissipation, actively optimizing the wound microenvironment. In vivo studies of infected PU models confirm that ultrasound‐activated PAL‐Au@BT significantly enhances bacterial elimination, suppresses inflammatory responses, and accelerates collagen deposition and angiogenesis to accelerate PUs healing. This work offers a new strategy for multifunctional piezoelectric dressing design by converging structural engineering, piezoelectric catalysis, and antibacterial therapeutics to address early‐stage PUs pathophysiology.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Wound Healing and Treatments
Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management
Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 41
- Publication date
- 2 March 2026
- Language
- EN