Multicompartment hydrogels

Schmidt, B. V.K.J. (2022) Multicompartment hydrogels. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 43(7), 2100895. (doi: 10.1002/marc.202100895) (PMID:35092101)

[img] Text
263804.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

9MB

Abstract

Hydrogels belong to the most promising materials in polymer and materials science at the moment. As they feature soft and tissue-like character as well as high water-content, a broad range of applications are addressed with hydrogels, e.g. tissue engineering and wound dressings but also soft robotics, drug delivery, actuators and catalysis. Ways to tailor hydrogel properties are crosslinking mechanism, hydrogel shape and reinforcement, but new features can be introduced by variation of hydrogel composition as well, e.g. via monomer choice, functionalization or compartmentalization. Especially, multicompartment hydrogels drive progress towards complex and highly functional soft materials. In the present review the latest developments in multicompartment hydrogels are highlighted with a focus on three types of compartments, i.e. micellar/vesicular, droplets or multi-layers including various sub-categories. Furthermore, several morphologies of compartmentalized hydrogels and applications of multicompartment hydrogels will be discussed as well. Finally, an outlook towards future developments of the field will be given. The further development of multicompartment hydrogels is highly relevant for a broad range of applications and will have a significant impact on biomedicine and organic devices.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Schmidt, Dr Bernhard
Authors: Schmidt, B. V.K.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Macromolecular Rapid Communications
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1022-1336
ISSN (Online):1521-3927
Published Online:29 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:Macromolecular Rapid Communications 43(7): 2100895
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record