Heterojunction functionalized sodium alginate/carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals film enhancing sterilization performance for wound healing

In the realm of natural polysaccharides, hydrogen bonding is a prevalent feature, yet its role in enhancing photocatalytic antimicrobial properties has been underexplored. In this paper, heterojunctions formed by graphene oxide (GO) and ZIF-8 were locked in sodium alginate/ carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals via hydrogen bonding networks, designated as SCGZ. The SCGZ films exhibit superior photocatalytic performance compared to either ZIF-8 or heterojunctions. This enhancement is primarily due to two key factors: firstly, the hydrogen bonding network significantly enhances the transfer of protons and holes, thereby improving the separation efficiency of photo-generated carriers; secondly, the hydrogen bonding between the layers facilitates a more efficient charge transfer, which expedites the movement of electrons from ZIF-8 to GO upon illumination. In vitro studies demonstrated that the SCGZ films possess remarkable antibacterial capabilities, achieving 99.75 % and 99.61 % inhibition rates against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. In vivo animal experiments have shown that SCGZ films can significantly accelerate the healing process of damaged tissues, with a healing efficiency of up to 90.5 %. This research provides additional insights into the development of natural polysaccharide-based multi‑hydrogen bonded macromolecules with enhanced photocatalytic properties.