Photonic Crystals: From Fabrication to Wound Management Applications

Photonic crystals (PCs) are a class of novel optical materials composed of different dielectric materials arranged in a periodic manner that are capable of modulating light. PCs possess photonic bandgaps (PBGs), which are able to slow down the group velocity of the photons. When the PBG is within the visible spectrum, the PC exhibits a vivid color, which is known as structural color. In addition, PCs display stimuli-responsive behaviors and structural color changes when combined with stimuli-responsive materials. Owing to their unique light manipulation performance and optical properties, PCs have demonstrated significant application potential in the biomedical field, especially in wound management. This review aims to introduce the latest research progress on PCs in wound monitoring and treatment, summarizes the challenges in their preparation and application, and provides an outlook on their future development. This review is intended to offer insights into the design and development of PC-based biomaterials for wound management.