Hydrogels are prepared using a variety of polymeric materials, which can be divided broadly into two categories according to their origin: natural or synthetic polymers. Natural polymers for hydrogel preparation include hyaluronic acid, chitosan, heparin, alginate, gelatin and fibrin. [18]

In the present review, we focused on the fundamental concepts of hydrogels—classification, the polymers involved, synthesis methods, types of hydrogels, properties, and applications of the hydrogel.

Dec 18, 2024 · A hydrogel is a three-dimensional structure made of natural or synthetic polymers. This three-dimensional polymer network is capable of retaining significant amounts of water or biological fluids. Hydrogels have a water content ranging between 20 and 99+ percent.

Mar 1, 2015 · Hydrogel-forming natural polymers include proteins such as collagen and gelatine and polysaccharides such as starch, alginate, and agarose. Synthetic polymers that form hydrogels are traditionally prepared using chemical polymerization methods.

By definition, hydrogels are polymer networks having hydrophilic properties. While hydrogels are generally prepared based on hydrophilic monomers, hydrophobic monomers are sometimes used in hydrogel preparation to regulate the properties for specific applications.

May 22, 2023 · Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) structured networks of crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrices capable of holding a large amount of water (> 10%by definition) and displaying useful characteristics such as softness, toughness, biocompatibility, stretchability, and …

A hydrogel is a network of hydrophilic polymers that are crosslinked either through physical entanglement (reversible hydrogel) or covalent bonds (permanent hydrogel), whilst a gel is a semi-solid material of hydrophilic polymers consisting of large amounts of liquid and small amounts of solids.

This review outlines the commonly used natural polymer in hydrogel preparation, including cellulose, chitosan, collagen/gelatin, alginate, hyaluronic acid, starch, guar gum, agarose, and dextran.

May 7, 2024 · Hydrogels are crosslinked polymer networks swollen with water. Owing to their soft and water-containing nature, hydrogels are promising materials for applications in many fields, such...

Aug 24, 2016 · A hydrogel is a three-dimensional (3D) network of hydrophilic polymers that can swell in water and hold a large amount of water while maintaining the structure due to chemical or physical cross-linking of individual polymer chains.