Interfacial electronic modulation on polyaniline/curcumin fiber for photo-powered rapid wound healing

Smart-responsive wound dressings are promising materials for rapid wound healing and infection clearance in a painless and noninvasive method. In this work, we developed a smart wound dressing, which was composed of polyaniline (PANI) and curcumin (Cur) composite nanofiber (PANI-Cur) by electrospinning. The regulation of interfacial electrons occurred through hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interaction between Cur and PANI, resulting in enhanced light absorption ability, lower bandgap, and better separation and transfer of interfacial electrons compared with that of PANI and Cur. The process of separation and transfer of interfacial electrons would be promoted under the assistance of light based on in situ Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). This PANI-Cur hybrid nanofiber showed an excellent sterilization effect against 99.77 % ± 0.10 % of Staphylococcus aureus and 98.45 % ± 0.27 % of Escherichia coli under light irradiation. The PANI-Cur nanofiber exhibited an accelerated wound healing rate when used for repairing mouse skin injuries under light. This work could provide a reference for the preparation of intelligent antibacterial fibers. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd