Synergistically self-assembled 2D nanosheets of MXene@MOF derived CoW-LDH into 3D frameworks functionalized with chitosan for improved skin wound healing

Abstract

Nature-inspired multifunctional composites are suitable materials for tissue reconstruction. Treating bacterial infections and promoting wound healing/skin regeneration remain major concerns in clinical practise and basic research. Single-modal treatment tends to be unreliable. In this study, multipurpose CS/MXene@LDH hybrid nanocomposites (NCs) are manufactured using chitosan functionalized with self-assembled negatively -charged MXene and positively -charged cobalt tungsten (CoW) layered doubled hydroxide (LDH) to develop promising wound-dressing materials. The physicochemical characteristics of hybrid NCs were investigated using XRD, XPS, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The in-vitro results reveal that the CS/MXene@LDH hybrid NCs improve wound healing behaviour and acceptable cytocompatibility. Furthermore, in-vivo studies show that the hybrid NCs successfully inhibits the inflammatory response and promote fibroblast growth, granulation tissue formation, deposition of collagen, and re-epithelialisation of skin wounds, resulting in wound healing in mice. These findings indicate that the CS/MXene@LDH hybrid NCs is good candidates for wound-healing applications.