Iodophor (
povidone-iodine) has been widely used for antibacterial applications in the clinic. Yet, limited progress in the field of
iodine-based bactericides has been achieved since the invention of iodophor. Herein, a blue
polyvinyl alcohol-
iodine (PAI) complex-based antibacterial
hydrogel is explored as a new generation of biocompatible
iodine-based bactericides. The obtained PAI
hydrogel maintains
laser triggered liquefaction, thermochromic, and photothermal features for highly efficient elimination of bacteria. In vitro antibacterial test reveals that the relative bacteria viabilities of Escherichia coli (E.coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incubated with PAI
hydrogel are only 8% and 3.8%, respectively. Upon single injection of the PAI
hydrogel, MRSA-infected open
wounds can be efficiently healed in only 5 days, and the healing speed is further accelerated by
laser irradiation due to the dynamic interaction between
iodine and
polyvinyl alcohol, causing up to ∼29% of
wound area being closed on day 1. In addition, a safe threshold temperature of skin scald (∼45 °C) emerges for PAI
hydrogels because of thermochromic properties, avoiding thermal
injuries during irradiation. In addition, no observed toxicity or skin irritation is observed for the PAI
hydrogel. This work expands the category of
iodine-based bactericides for safe and controllable management of infected
wounds.