Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels
With the increased research on supramolecular hydrogels, many spectroscopic, diffraction, microscopic, and rheological techniques have been employed to better understand and characterize the material properties of these hydrogels. Specifically, spectroscopic methods are used to characterize the stru...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Gels |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/7/4/158 |
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| author | Bridget R. Denzer Rachel J. Kulchar Richard B. Huang Jennifer Patterson |
| author_facet | Bridget R. Denzer Rachel J. Kulchar Richard B. Huang Jennifer Patterson |
| author_sort | Bridget R. Denzer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With the increased research on supramolecular hydrogels, many spectroscopic, diffraction, microscopic, and rheological techniques have been employed to better understand and characterize the material properties of these hydrogels. Specifically, spectroscopic methods are used to characterize the structure of supramolecular hydrogels on the atomic and molecular scales. Diffraction techniques rely on measurements of crystallinity and help in analyzing the structure of supramolecular hydrogels, whereas microscopy allows researchers to inspect these hydrogels at high resolution and acquire a deeper understanding of the morphology and structure of the materials. Furthermore, mechanical characterization is also important for the application of supramolecular hydrogels in different fields. This can be achieved through atomic force microscopy measurements where a probe interacts with the surface of the material. Additionally, rheological characterization can investigate the stiffness as well as the shear-thinning and self-healing properties of the hydrogels. Further, mechanical and surface characterization can be performed by micro-rheology, dynamic light scattering, and tribology methods, among others. In this review, we highlight state-of-the-art techniques for these different characterization methods, focusing on examples where they have been applied to supramolecular hydrogels, and we also provide future directions for research on the various strategies used to analyze this promising type of material. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:04:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6cb7eb3e8ca44140a3b76852bc892e40 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:04:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj.art-6cb7eb3e8ca44140a3b76852bc892e402023-11-23T08:27:16ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612021-09-017415810.3390/gels7040158Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular HydrogelsBridget R. Denzer0Rachel J. Kulchar1Richard B. Huang2Jennifer Patterson3Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USADepartment of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USADepartment of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USABiomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Group, IMDEA Materials Institute, Getafe, 28906 Madrid, SpainWith the increased research on supramolecular hydrogels, many spectroscopic, diffraction, microscopic, and rheological techniques have been employed to better understand and characterize the material properties of these hydrogels. Specifically, spectroscopic methods are used to characterize the structure of supramolecular hydrogels on the atomic and molecular scales. Diffraction techniques rely on measurements of crystallinity and help in analyzing the structure of supramolecular hydrogels, whereas microscopy allows researchers to inspect these hydrogels at high resolution and acquire a deeper understanding of the morphology and structure of the materials. Furthermore, mechanical characterization is also important for the application of supramolecular hydrogels in different fields. This can be achieved through atomic force microscopy measurements where a probe interacts with the surface of the material. Additionally, rheological characterization can investigate the stiffness as well as the shear-thinning and self-healing properties of the hydrogels. Further, mechanical and surface characterization can be performed by micro-rheology, dynamic light scattering, and tribology methods, among others. In this review, we highlight state-of-the-art techniques for these different characterization methods, focusing on examples where they have been applied to supramolecular hydrogels, and we also provide future directions for research on the various strategies used to analyze this promising type of material.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/7/4/158spectroscopydiffractionmicroscopyrheologybiomaterials |
| spellingShingle | Bridget R. Denzer Rachel J. Kulchar Richard B. Huang Jennifer Patterson Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels Gels spectroscopy diffraction microscopy rheology biomaterials |
| title | Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| title_full | Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| title_fullStr | Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| title_short | Advanced Methods for the Characterization of Supramolecular Hydrogels |
| title_sort | advanced methods for the characterization of supramolecular hydrogels |
| topic | spectroscopy diffraction microscopy rheology biomaterials |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/7/4/158 |
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