Electrospinning Machine| A Review of Hydrogel Fiber: Design, Synthesis,Applications,and Futures

Challenge: Hydrogel fibers are materials that combine the softness, wetness, biocompatibility, and environmental responsiveness of hydrogels with the high aspect ratio, anisotropy, and flexibility of fibrous materials. Due to their unique structural and functional properties, these materials have broad application potential in biomedicine, energy, and environmental science. Despite extensive research on hydrogel fiber development, designing and synthesizing hydrogel fibers with specific structures and functions remains a challenge.

Main Content: The team led by Academician Zhu Meifang and Hou Kai from Donghua University systematically reviewed the research progress of hydrogel fibers to provide guidance for future studies and promote their application in multiple fields.

Key Point 1: The common materials for hydrogel fibers are discussed in detail, including natural polymers (e.g., sodium alginate, chitosan, cellulose), synthetic polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)), monomers/oligomers, and nanoparticles. The selection of these materials significantly impacts the performance and functionality of hydrogel fibers.

Key Point 2: The importance of structural design (micro-, meso-, and macro-structures) for hydrogel fiber performance is emphasized. Various fabrication techniques, such as wet spinning, microfluidic spinning, dynamic polymerization spinning, and 3D printing, are analyzed, each with advantages and limitations for different applications.

Key Point 3: The applications of hydrogel fibers in biomedicine (e.g., tissue engineering, drug delivery), energy (e.g., supercapacitors, batteries), and environmental science (e.g., water treatment, pollutant adsorption) are highlighted, demonstrating their versatility and potential.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.5c00159