Pyrogallol-rich supramolecular hydrogels with enzyme-sensitive microdomains for controlled topical delivery of hydrophobic drugs.

Skin wound treatments require efficient and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to promote fast tissue regeneration and prevent infections. Hydrogels are one of the most popular products in the wound care market, although their use as medicated wound dressings remains a massive challenge when hydrophobic drugs are needed due to the hydrophilic nature of these soft materials. In this study, we developed innovative, dynamic hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), pyrogallol as a hydrogen bond crosslinker, and casein micelles as hydrophobic reservoirs of silver sulfadiazine (SSD) for enzyme-activated smart delivery at wound sites.

Cuprous oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a polymeric matrix embedded in fabrics to prevent spread of SARS-CoV-2.

This paper describes the development of a coating for cotton and polypropylene (PP) fabrics based on a polymeric matrix embedded with cuprous oxide nanoparticles (CuO@SDS NPs) in order to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and manufactured by a simple process using a dip-assisted layer-by-layer technology, at low curing temperature and without the need for expensive equipment, capable of achieving disinfection rates of up to 99%. The polymeric bilayer coating makes the surface of the fabrics hydrophilic, enabling the transportation of the virus-infected droplets to achieve the rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by contact with the CuO@SDS NPs incorporated in the coated fabrics.