Polymeric Hydrogels with Shape Deformation Behaviors

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Smart and Functional Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 September 2023) | Viewed by 4270

Special Issue Editors

Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
Interests: smart polymeric materials; shape memory hydrogels; hydrogel actuators
School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Interests: stimuli-responsive polymers; UCST polymers; hydrogel actuators

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As one of the most attractive intelligent materials, polymeric shape deformation hydrogels could generate reversible shape transformation under various external stimuli. There are two main categories of shape deformation hydrogel on the basis of shape shifting direction: (1) shape memory hydrogel, which could be deformed by external force and fix the deformed shape, and it could further recover the past original shape upon the right stimulus; (2) hydrogel actuators, which could transform to a future shape upon external stimuli, through the swelling/deswelling of local hydrogel networks. Shape deformation hydrogels have been developed rapidly recently and have shown promising applications in many fields, such as soft robots and biomimetic devices. However, we believe there remain challenges and opportunities in this emerging exciting field. The Special Issue is devoted to report the recent progress of polymeric hydrogels with shape deformation behaviors; both reviews and original papers are invited for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Jiawei Zhang
Dr. Chuanzhuang Zhao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Polymeric hydrogels
  • Stimuli-responsive
  • Shape deformation
  • Actuator
  • Shape memory
  • Application

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4384 KiB  
Article
A Biphasic Hydrogel with Self-Healing Properties and a Continuous Layer Structure for Potential Application in Osteochondral Defect Repair
by Yue Jiang, Shanzhu Guo, Jingjing Jiao and Long Li
Polymers 2023, 15(12), 2744; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122744 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
The treatment of osteochondral defects remains challenging due to the limited healing capacity of cartilage and the poor results of traditional methods. Inspired by the structure of natural articular cartilage, we have fabricated a biphasic osteochondral hydrogel scaffold using a Schiff base reaction [...] Read more.
The treatment of osteochondral defects remains challenging due to the limited healing capacity of cartilage and the poor results of traditional methods. Inspired by the structure of natural articular cartilage, we have fabricated a biphasic osteochondral hydrogel scaffold using a Schiff base reaction and a free radical polymerization reaction. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), oxidized sodium alginate (OSA), and polyacrylamide (PAM) formed a hydrogel (COP) as the cartilage layer, while hydroxyapatite (HAp) was incorporated into the COP hydrogel to obtain a hydrogel (COPH) as an subchondral bone layer. At the same time, hydroxyapatite (HAp) was incorporated into the COP hydrogel to obtain a hydrogel (COPH) as an osteochondral sublayer, combining the two to obtain an integrated scaffold for osteochondral tissue engineering. Interlayer interpenetration through the continuity of the hydrogel substrate and good self-healing properties due to the dynamic imine bonding of the hydrogel resulted in enhanced interlayer bond strength. In addition, in vitro experiments have shown that the hydrogel exhibits good biocompatibility. It shows great potential for osteochondral tissue engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Hydrogels with Shape Deformation Behaviors)
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16 pages, 6181 KiB  
Article
Characterisation of Rapid In Situ Forming Gelipin Hydrogel for Future Use in Irregular Deep Cutaneous Wound Healing
by Dewi Utami Nike, Haliza Katas, Nor Fatimah Mohd, Yosuke Hiraoka, Yasuhiko Tabata, Ruszymah Bt Hj Idrus and Mh Busra Fauzi
Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3152; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183152 - 17 Sep 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2668
Abstract
The irregular deep chronic wound is a grand challenge to be healed due to multiple factors including slow angiogenesis that causing regenerated tissue failure. The narrow gap of deep wounds could hinder and slow down normal wound healing. Thus, the current study aimed [...] Read more.
The irregular deep chronic wound is a grand challenge to be healed due to multiple factors including slow angiogenesis that causing regenerated tissue failure. The narrow gap of deep wounds could hinder and slow down normal wound healing. Thus, the current study aimed to develop a polymerised genipin-crosslinked gelatin (gelipin) hydrogel (GNP_GH) as a potential biodegradable filler for the abovementioned limitations. Briefly, GNP_GH bioscaffolds have been developed successfully within three-minute polymerisation at room temperature (22–24 °C). The physicochemical and biocompatibility of GNP_GH bioscaffolds were respectively evaluated. Amongst GNP_GH groups, the 0.1%GNP_GH10% displayed the highest injectability (97.3 ± 0.6%). Meanwhile, the 0.5%GNP_GH15% degraded within more than two weeks with optimum swelling capacity (108.83 ± 15.7%) and higher mechanical strength (22.6 ± 3.9 kPa) than non-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel 15% (NC_GH15%). Furthermore, 0.1%GNP_GH15% offered higher porosity (>80%) and lower wettability (48.7 ± 0.3) than NC_GH15%. Surface and cross-section SEM photographs displayed an interconnected porous structure for all GNP_GH groups. The EDX spectra and maps represented no major changes after GNP modification. Moreover, no toxicity effect of GNP_GH against dermal fibroblasts was shown during the biocompatibility test. In conclusion, the abovementioned findings indicated that gelipin has excellent physicochemical properties and acceptable biocompatibility as an acellular rapid treatment for future use in irregular deep cutaneous wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Hydrogels with Shape Deformation Behaviors)
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