The synthesis of a DHAD/ZnAlTi-LDH composite with advanced UV blocking and antibacterial activity for skin protection

Skin wounds are particularly vulnerable and susceptible to bacterial infection. Unfortunately, the abuse of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of a number of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the past few decades. Moreover, secondary damage of the fragile new tissue around the wound caused by high-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been rarely noticed. To address these problems, herein, we present an alternative strategy to overcome drug-resistant bacteria and UV damage by taking advantage of dehydroabietic acid derivatives (DHADs) and layered double hydroxides (LDHs). DHAD, synthesized from dehydroabietic acid (DHA) through a series of reactions, was assembled with ZnAlTi-LDH to obtain a DHAD/ZnAlTi-LDH composite. The results showed that DHAD/ZnAlTi-LDH has a prominent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production capacity, and both Gram-negative and positive bacteria can be killed under visible light irradiation. At the same time, it can effectively shield the skin from UV rays. In vitro and vivo experiments confirmed that the composite has great promise for bactericidal applications, UV blocking and wound healing.