Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters-Loaded Ultra-Flexible Hydrogel Microneedles for Nanozyme-Photothermal Synergistic Antibacterial Treatment and Wound pH Visualization Monitoring.

Authors

Lu Chen, Gan Xu, Xialong Zhu, Yifan Zhao, Shaojia Li, Chao Guo, Hong Cai, Zhihai Huang, Yinsheng Dong, Chenglin Chu

Published in

ACS applied bio materials. Jun 18, 2026. Epub Jun 18, 2026.

Abstract

Currently, the monitoring and treatment of infected wounds remain a clinical challenge. Wound patches possessing potent antibacterial properties and sensing functionalities have attracted significant research attention. Herein, we present the development of a multifunctional hydrogel microneedle patch incorporating gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) for simultaneous bacterial infection therapy and real-time wound exudate pH visual monitoring. The patch matrix comprises a photo-crosslinkable hydrogel system based on methacrylated chitosan (CSMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), forming hydrogel microneedle arrays comprising high-strength needle tips and ultra-flexible substrate. Controlled release of Au NCs is achieved through the swelling of the hydrogel matrix and subsequent biodegradation. Benefiting from the synergistic integration of Au NCs' cell-penetrating peptide ligand and ultrasmall size-dependent effects, intrinsic nanozyme activity, and robust photothermal conversion capability, the microneedle patch demonstrates exceptional in vitro antimicrobial efficacy while significantly accelerating in vivo wound healing processes. The pH-sensing functionality enables semi-quantitative analysis of wound exudate acidity through UV-excited fluorescence intensity variations of Au NCs. Therefore, this work proposes an integrated strategy of the therapeutic-diagnostic platform for advanced wound management by combining synergistic antimicrobial action with dynamic physiological parameter monitoring. Although the sensitivity and anti-interference capability of the in vivo pH sensing module should be further enhanced, such multifunctional microneedle patches hold substantial translational potential for improving clinical outcomes in infected wound care.

PMID:
42314021
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Jun 2026.

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