Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic
Hydrogels are crosslinked polymer networks with time-dependent mechanical response. The overall mechanical properties are correlated with the dynamics of the crosslinks. Generally, hydrogels crosslinked by permanent chemical crosslinks are strong but static, while hydrogels crosslinked by physical i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Gels |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/8/9/577 |
| _version_ | 1797488147052888064 |
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| author | Yueying Han Yi Cao Hai Lei |
| author_facet | Yueying Han Yi Cao Hai Lei |
| author_sort | Yueying Han |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogels are crosslinked polymer networks with time-dependent mechanical response. The overall mechanical properties are correlated with the dynamics of the crosslinks. Generally, hydrogels crosslinked by permanent chemical crosslinks are strong but static, while hydrogels crosslinked by physical interactions are weak but dynamic. It is highly desirable to create synthetic hydrogels that possess strong mechanical stability yet remain dynamic for various applications, such as drug delivery cargos, tissue engineering scaffolds, and shape-memory materials. Recently, with the introduction of dynamic covalent chemistry, the seemingly conflicting mechanical properties, i.e., stability and dynamics, have been successfully combined in the same hydrogels. Dynamic covalent bonds are mechanically stable yet still capable of exchanging, dissociating, or switching in response to external stimuli, empowering the hydrogels with self-healing properties, injectability and suitability for postprocessing and additive manufacturing. Here in this review, we first summarize the common dynamic covalent bonds used in hydrogel networks based on various chemical reaction mechanisms and the mechanical strength of these bonds at the single molecule level. Next, we discuss how dynamic covalent chemistry makes hydrogel materials more dynamic from the materials perspective. Furthermore, we highlight the challenges and future perspectives of dynamic covalent hydrogels. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:57:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e7deba4df09543b587733e040fda98ae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:57:54Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj.art-e7deba4df09543b587733e040fda98ae2023-11-23T16:22:24ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612022-09-018957710.3390/gels8090577Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet DynamicYueying Han0Yi Cao1Hai Lei2Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure, Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaHydrogels are crosslinked polymer networks with time-dependent mechanical response. The overall mechanical properties are correlated with the dynamics of the crosslinks. Generally, hydrogels crosslinked by permanent chemical crosslinks are strong but static, while hydrogels crosslinked by physical interactions are weak but dynamic. It is highly desirable to create synthetic hydrogels that possess strong mechanical stability yet remain dynamic for various applications, such as drug delivery cargos, tissue engineering scaffolds, and shape-memory materials. Recently, with the introduction of dynamic covalent chemistry, the seemingly conflicting mechanical properties, i.e., stability and dynamics, have been successfully combined in the same hydrogels. Dynamic covalent bonds are mechanically stable yet still capable of exchanging, dissociating, or switching in response to external stimuli, empowering the hydrogels with self-healing properties, injectability and suitability for postprocessing and additive manufacturing. Here in this review, we first summarize the common dynamic covalent bonds used in hydrogel networks based on various chemical reaction mechanisms and the mechanical strength of these bonds at the single molecule level. Next, we discuss how dynamic covalent chemistry makes hydrogel materials more dynamic from the materials perspective. Furthermore, we highlight the challenges and future perspectives of dynamic covalent hydrogels.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/8/9/577dynamic covalent chemistryhydrogelsingle molecule force spectroscopyliquid-like properties |
| spellingShingle | Yueying Han Yi Cao Hai Lei Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic Gels dynamic covalent chemistry hydrogel single molecule force spectroscopy liquid-like properties |
| title | Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic |
| title_full | Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic |
| title_fullStr | Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic |
| title_short | Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels: Strong yet Dynamic |
| title_sort | dynamic covalent hydrogels strong yet dynamic |
| topic | dynamic covalent chemistry hydrogel single molecule force spectroscopy liquid-like properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/8/9/577 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yueyinghan dynamiccovalenthydrogelsstrongyetdynamic AT yicao dynamiccovalenthydrogelsstrongyetdynamic AT hailei dynamiccovalenthydrogelsstrongyetdynamic |