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Ultrasound- and NIR-Responsive Polydextran/Black TiO 2 Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Triple-Modal Antibacterial Therapy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 )-containing nanocomposite hydrogels have shown great promise in biomedical applications, where TiO 2 nanoparticles serve as sensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nevertheless, the limited bandgap of TiO 2 nanoparticles restricts activation to ultraviolet light, and the recombination of electron–hole pairs diminishes ROS production efficiency. Here, an innovative TiO 2 -containing nanocomposite hydrogel is developed by incorporating black TiO 2 (bTiO 2 ) nanoparticles into a hydrazone-cross-linked polymeric network of polydextran aldehyde (PDA) and polydextran hydrazide (PDH). Particularly, bTiO 2 nanoparticles are further functionalized with amino groups to form imine cross-links at the particle–polymer interface, enhancing their dispersion and also improving the mechanical properties of the network. The structures and properties of the bTiO 2 -containing PDA/PDH nanocomposite hydrogels are systematically investigated compared to the hydrogels featuring only a polymeric network and those based on white TiO 2 nanoparticles. The bTiO 2 -containing PDA/PDH nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit increased ROS generation and exceptional photothermal properties when exposed to ultrasound and near-infrared light, significantly boosting their antibacterial efficacy through a combination of SDT, PDT, and photothermal therapy (PTT). Taken together, bTiO 2 -containing PDA/PDH nanocomposite hydrogel is a versatile therapeutic platform that offers dual external stimuli-responsiveness and dynamic features for triple-modal antibacterial applications.

Source: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c15341

Authors: Tzu-Ying Wang, Yu-Ning An, Yi-Cheun Yeh

Institution: National Taiwan University

Language: English

Topic: Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500