Unraveling the Potential of a Nanostructured Tungsten–Tungsten Oxide Thin Film Electrode as a Bioresorbable Multichemical Wound Healing Monitor

Recent advancements in wearable technology have led to a new era of intelligent wound dressings capable of monitoring vital healing biomarkers. While a significant leap from traditional gauze dressings, these innovations still necessitate periodic removal and disposal. Bioresorbable electrochemical sensors have emerged as a promising and sustainable solution, offering continuous monitoring of critical wound healing biomarkers in real-time and in situ, followed by their full physiological resorption. The current challenge lies in the susceptibility of metallic electrodes to harsh electrolytic biofluids, hindering the development of viable transient electrochemical sensors. This study pioneers a bioresorbable electrochemical material and unique architecture comprising engineered sputtered tungsten (W) plus tungsten oxide (WO_x) thin films, taking advantage of their high catalytic activity and uniquely gradual biodissolution. While a bare W film electrode detached from the wafer substrate within 5 hours of soaking, an annealed W-WO_x electrode showcases a notable electrochemical stability at body temperature, for up to several days. The latter reliably senses multiple analytes during 24-hour room-temperature tests. These findings underscore the potential of annealed W plus WO_x electrodes in future bioresorbable wound management systems.