High‐strength hydrogels: Microstructure design, characterization and applications. Issue 19 (22nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hua, Jiachuan; Ng, Pui Fai; Fei, Bin
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 56:Issue 19(2018)
• Page Start: 1325
• Page End: 1335
• Publication Date: 2018-10-22
• Subjects: fabrication -- hydrogel -- mechanical property -- microstructure -- tension test; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.24725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Hydrogels are a class of polymeric network materials embedded in a water‐rich environment. They are widely applied in drug delivery, actuator, and sensor. However, conventional hydrogels encountered limits from their poor mechanical property. Recent researches in hydrogels have been focusing on mechanical enhancement, ranging from design of microstructures to adjustment of compositions in hydrogels. Here, the design and fabrication strategies of high‐strength hydrogels, as well as major progress in their typical strength‐support applications are systemically reviewed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2018, 56, 1325–1335 Abstract : Hydrogels are a class of polymeric network materials embedded in a water‐rich environment. They are widely applied in drug delivery and as actuators and sensors. However, conventional hydrogels are limited by their poor mechanical properties. Recent research on hydrogels has been focusing on mechanical enhancement, ranging from design of microstructures to adjustment of compositions in hydrogels. Here, the design and fabrication strategies of high‐strength hydrogels, as well as major progress in their typical strength‐support applications, are systematically reviewed.