Publication Date
2018
Journal or Book Title
Gels
Abstract
A hydrogel is a three-dimensional polymer network with high water content and has been attractive for many biomedical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility. However, classic hydrogels are mechanically weak and unsuitable for most physiological load-bearing situations. Thus, the development of tough hydrogels used in the biomedical field becomes critical. This work reviews various strategies to fabricate tough hydrogels with the introduction of non-covalent bonds and the construction of stretchable polymer networks and interpenetrated networks, such as the so-called double-network hydrogel. Additionally, the design of tough hydrogels for tissue adhesive, tissue engineering, and soft actuators is reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/gels4020046
Volume
4
Special Issue
Tough Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
Issue
2
License
UMass Amherst Open Access Policy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Liu, Yuan; Hue, Weilue; Zhang, Zhongtian; and Lee, Bruce P., "Recent Developments in Tough Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications" (2018). Gels. 900.
https://doi.org/10.3390/gels4020046