Rare‐Earth–Functionalized Carbon Dot Hydrogels as Mechanically Robust Antibacterial Wound Dressings

ABSTRACT

Hydrogel‐based wound dressings have attracted sustained interest due to their ability to support fibroblast proliferation and maintain a moist healing environment; however, achieving simultaneous antibacterial efficacy, mechanical robustness, and biocompatibility. In response to these limitations, we report a multifunctional antibacterial hydrogel incorporating blue‐emissive lanthanum‐functionalized nitrogen‐doped carbon dots (La, N‐CDs), synthesized via a green and cost‐effective hydrothermal route using citric acid, urea, and lanthanum nitrate. Lanthanum coordination with surface oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing groups enhances the antibacterial activity of N‐CDs by promoting stronger interactions with bacterial cell envelope, by strengthening coordination‐associated antibacterial mechanism that surpasses undoped counterparts. The La, N‐CDs were integrated into a poly(vinyl alcohol)–borax hydrogel network, further reinforced with dipotassium glycyrrhizinate as a multifunctional cross‐linker. Abundant hydrophilic functional groups from both dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DPG) and La, N‐CDs impart high surface wettability (contact angle <20°) and rapid swelling (>180%), facilitating efficient wound exudate absorption and sustained moisture retention. The resulting hydrogel exhibits acceptable cytocompatibility (cell viability >80%) alongside pronounced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ( E. Coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ). Collectively, this work establishes for rare‐earth‐functionalized carbon dot hydrogels for antibacterial performance, structural integrity, and biological compatibility.