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Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels
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Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2024 | Viewed by 4396

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Joanna Zemła

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
Interests: hydrogel rheology; thin polymer films; microcontact printing; functional polymers; smart polymer coatings; protein adsorption; cell adhesion; biomechanics of cells; rheology of cells and tissues; bacterial adhesion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sara Metwally

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Kraków, Poland
Interests: synthesis, structure and mechanical properties of hydrogels; polymer nanofibers; electrospinning; cell-scaffolds interaction; conductive polymers; tissue engineering; biomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Materials (IF: 3.748) is dedicated to recent advances in hydrogel-based materials synthesis and characterization. Natural and synthetic hydrogel-based materials are widely used for biomedical applications such as regenerative medicine, drug delivery, drug screening, tissue engineering, and biosensors. They also contribute to non-medical areas like sensing, anti-marine-creature fouling, energy storage, and water technology. The diversity of their applications still inspires research on the engineering of novel hydrogel materials today. New methods for the synthesis of hydrogels are highly desirable. These promising materials must be well-characterized concerning physical (mechanics, rheology, swelling, transparency, diffusion) and chemical (pH- or temperature-induced degradation, toxicity, crosslinking).

The topics of interest for this Special Issue on the Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels 

include, but are not limited to:

  • Hydrogels for tissue engineering;
  • Hydrogels for cancer therapy;
  • Hydrogel drug release mechanisms;
  • Hydrogels for 3D bioprinting;
  • Smart hydrogels;
  • Hybrid hydrogels synthesis;
  • Hydrogels rheology;
  • Hydrogels modifications and properties;
  • Mathematical modeling of hydrogels;
  • Diffusion in hydrogels;
  • Degradable hydrogels;
  • Swelling of hydrogels.

Considering your distinguished contribution to this substantial research field, we cordially invite you to submit an article to this Special Issue. Full research papers, communications, and review articles are welcome.

Dr. Joanna Zemla
Dr. Sara Metwally
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydrogels
  • 3D bioprinting
  • rheology
  • smart hydrogels
  • hydrogels modeling
  • drug carriers

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3980 KiB  
Article
Whey Protein Isolate/Calcium Silicate Hydrogels for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications—Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation
by Tayla Ivory-Cousins, Aleksandra Nurzynska, Katarzyna Klimek, Daniel K. Baines, Wieslaw Truszkiewicz, Krzysztof Pałka and Timothy E. L. Douglas
Materials 2023, 16(19), 6484; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16196484 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1211
Abstract
Whey protein isolate (WPI) hydrogels are attractive biomaterials for application in bone repair and regeneration. However, their main limitation is low mechanical strength. Therefore, to improve these properties, the incorporation of ceramic phases into hydrogel matrices is currently being performed. In this study, [...] Read more.
Whey protein isolate (WPI) hydrogels are attractive biomaterials for application in bone repair and regeneration. However, their main limitation is low mechanical strength. Therefore, to improve these properties, the incorporation of ceramic phases into hydrogel matrices is currently being performed. In this study, novel whey protein isolate/calcium silicate (WPI/CaSiO3) hydrogel biomaterials were prepared with varying concentrations of a ceramic phase (CaSiO3). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the introduction of CaSiO3 to a WPI hydrogel matrix on its physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Our Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results showed that CaSiO3 was successfully incorporated into the WPI hydrogel matrix to create composite biomaterials. Swelling tests indicated that the addition of 5% (w/v) CaSiO3 caused greater swelling compared to biomaterials without CaSiO3 and ultimate compressive strength and strain at break. Cell culture experiments demonstrated that WPI hydrogel biomaterials enriched with CaSiO3 demonstrated superior cytocompatibility in vitro compared to the control hydrogel biomaterials without CaSiO3. Thus, this study revealed that the addition of CaSiO3 to WPI-based hydrogel biomaterials renders them more promising for bone tissue engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels)
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12 pages, 4465 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Agarose Hydrogels for Release of Diclofenac Sodium
by Anna Jarosz, Oliwia Kapusta, Dorota Gugała-Fekner and Mariusz Barczak
Materials 2023, 16(17), 6042; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176042 - 2 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 939
Abstract
Hydrogels are attractive biomaterials for the controlled release of various pharmaceuticals, due to their ability to embed biologically active moieties in a 3D polymer network. Among them, agarose-based hydrogels are an interesting, but still not fully explored, group of potential platforms for controlled [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are attractive biomaterials for the controlled release of various pharmaceuticals, due to their ability to embed biologically active moieties in a 3D polymer network. Among them, agarose-based hydrogels are an interesting, but still not fully explored, group of potential platforms for controlled drug release. In this work, agarose hydrogels with various contents of citric acid were prepared, and their mechanical and physicochemical properties were investigated using various instrumental techniques, such as rheological measurements, attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Releasing tests for diclofenac sodium (DICL) were run in various environments; water, PBS, and 0.01 M NaOH; which remarkably affected the profile of the controlled release of this model drug. In addition to affecting the mechanical properties, the amount of citric acid incorporated within a hydrogel network during synthesis was also of great importance to the rate of DICL release. Therefore, due to their high biocompatibility, agarose hydrogels can be regarded as safe and potential platforms for controlled drug release in biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels)
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Review

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35 pages, 8715 KiB  
Review
Exploring the Progress of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characteristics, and Wide-Ranging Applications
by Iman Gholamali, Trung Thang Vu, Sung-Han Jo, Sang-Hyug Park and Kwon Taek Lim
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102439 - 18 May 2024
Viewed by 634
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the world of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, exploring their creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and uses. HA hydrogels stand out among natural polysaccharides due to their distinct features. Their exceptional biocompatibility makes them a top choice for diverse biomedical [...] Read more.
This comprehensive review delves into the world of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, exploring their creation, characteristics, research methodologies, and uses. HA hydrogels stand out among natural polysaccharides due to their distinct features. Their exceptional biocompatibility makes them a top choice for diverse biomedical purposes, with a great ability to coexist harmoniously with living cells and tissues. Furthermore, their biodegradability permits their gradual breakdown by bodily enzymes, enabling the creation of temporary frameworks for tissue engineering endeavors. Additionally, since HA is a vital component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in numerous tissues, HA hydrogels can replicate the ECM’s structure and functions. This mimicry is pivotal in tissue engineering applications by providing an ideal setting for cellular growth and maturation. Various cross-linking techniques like chemical, physical, enzymatic, and hybrid methods impact the mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and degradation speed of the hydrogels. Assessment tools such as rheological analysis, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, swelling tests, and degradation studies are employed to examine their attributes. HA-based hydrogels feature prominently in tissue engineering, drug distribution, wound recovery, ophthalmology, and cartilage mending. Crafting HA hydrogels enables the production of biomaterials with sought-after qualities, offering avenues for advancements in the realm of biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels)
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31 pages, 3875 KiB  
Review
Hydrogels in Ophthalmology: Novel Strategies for Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges
by Kevin Y. Wu, Dania Akbar, Michel Giunta, Ananda Kalevar and Simon D. Tran
Materials 2024, 17(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010086 - 23 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 994
Abstract
The human eye’s intricate anatomical and physiological design necessitates tailored approaches for managing ocular diseases. Recent advancements in ophthalmology underscore the potential of hydrogels as a versatile therapeutic tool, owing to their biocompatibility, adaptability, and customizability. This review offers an exploration of hydrogel [...] Read more.
The human eye’s intricate anatomical and physiological design necessitates tailored approaches for managing ocular diseases. Recent advancements in ophthalmology underscore the potential of hydrogels as a versatile therapeutic tool, owing to their biocompatibility, adaptability, and customizability. This review offers an exploration of hydrogel applications in ophthalmology over the past five years. Emphasis is placed on their role in optimized drug delivery for the posterior segment and advancements in intraocular lens technology. Hydrogels demonstrate the capacity for targeted, controlled, and sustained drug release in the posterior segment of the eye, potentially minimizing invasive interventions and enhancing patient outcomes. Furthermore, in intraocular lens domains, hydrogels showcase potential in post-operative drug delivery, disease sensing, and improved biocompatibility. However, while their promise is immense, most hydrogel-based studies remain preclinical, necessitating rigorous clinical evaluations. Patient-specific factors, potential complications, and the current nascent stage of research should inform their clinical application. In essence, the incorporation of hydrogels into ocular therapeutics represents a seminal convergence of material science and medicine, heralding advancements in patient-centric care within ophthalmology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogels)
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