In-situ chargeable, postcharging antibacterial supercapacitor patch with integrated pH sensing for infected chronic wound management.

A major challenge in caring for infected chronic wounds is that conventional antibacterial dressings cannot provide real-time monitoring or on-demand therapeutic intervention. Herein, we report a flexible multifunctional patch that integrates an in-situ chargeable, postcharging antibacterial supercapacitor with a real-time pH sensor for the management of infected chronic wounds. The patch, monolithically integrated on a polyimide film (PI film), comprises a MnO2/carbon fiber solid-state supercapacitor (CMSC) and a polyaniline-modified carbon fiber (CP)-based open-circuit potential (OCP) pH sensor. Upon in situ charging, the CMSC postcharging effect synergizes with the sharp edges of MnO2 nanoblades to disrupt the bacterial electron transport chain (ETC). After just 10 min of charging at -1.8 V, the patch achieves >99% lethality against E. coli and S. aureus within 0.5 h. Meanwhile, the pH sensor exhibits a linear sensitivity of 42.64 mV pH-1 (pH 2-8) with a flexible and reproducible response. Using a silicone-based wound simulation model, we validate the patch's closed-loop functionality: it monitors pH in infected wounds, activates on-demand in situ charging followed by postcharging antibacterial action, and then checks pH recovery in normal wounds. This self-contained, non-antibiotic theranostic platform offers a promising strategy for infected chronic wound care.