Advances in biomedical applications of self-healing hydrogels

Hassan Rammal, Amin Ghavaminejad, Ahmet Erdem, Rene Mbeleck, Mohammad Nematollahi, Sibel Emir Diltemiz, Halima Alem, Mohammad Ali Darabi, Yavuz Nuri Ertas, Edward J. Caterson, Nureddin Ashammakhi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrogels are important biomaterials that have several applications in drug and cell delivery, tissue engineering, three-dimensional (3D) printing and more recently, in sensing and actuating applications. With the advent of self-healing hydrogels, it is becoming possible to have smarter materials with sustainable mechanical properties under stress and also added functionalities. The mechanisms responsible for the self-healing behavior of these materials are related to their internal structure and processes triggered by damage they may sustain. These mechanisms rely on either chemical bonding or physical interactions of the structural components of hydrogels, or on both. Many self-healing hydrogels have been developed and tested in vitro and in animals. However, there are still challenges, especially with healing characteristics that need to be addressed and investigated in animal experiments before their clinical applications can be initiated, for which a multidisciplinary approach is required. In the current paper, various biomedical applications of self-healing hydrogels are discussed in detail, highlighting current challenges and future prospects.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4368-4400
Number of pages33
JournalMaterials Chemistry Frontiers
Volume5
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 21 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Materials Chemistry

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