Self-healing adhesive hydrogels for sustained ozone release: Enhanced antibacterial properties and improved wound healing

Antibacterial hydrogels have generated significant interest for their potential therapeutic applications. Ozone (O₃) is recognized for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-hypoxic properties, along with its minimal residual impact. However, the development of sustained O₃-release antibacterial hydrogels has been challenging due to the low solubility and short lifespan of ozone. We present an ozone-loaded emulsion hydrogel (ozonegel), which encapsulates ozonized oil within a nanoclay-poly(methacryloxyethyl sulfobetaine) supramolecular network. This adhesive, self-healing ozonegel achieves high ozone loading (91.3 mmol/kg) and releases O₃ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) over 36 h. It demonstrates broad antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, promoting wound healing. The remarkable properties of ozonegels suggest significant potential for advanced biomedical applications.