Hydrogel: A class of polymeric materials

ABSTRACT

A class of polymeric materials known as hydrogel products have a hydrophilic structure that allows them to store enormous amounts of water in their three-dimensional networks. More than any other form of synthetic biomaterial, they most nearly resemble genuine living tissue because of their high water content, porosity, and soft consistency. Hydrogels may also be prepared into a wide range of physical forms, such as coatings, films, microparticles, and slabs. Hydrogels are so often utilized in clinical practice and medicine for a variety of purposes, such as cellular immobilization, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, diagnostics, separation of biomolecules or cells, and barrier materials to control biological adhesions. This biomaterial has the capacity to expand and store huge volumes of biological fluids. They are mushy when swollen⁷.

Keywords: Hydrogel; cross-linking; polymer; hydrogel properties