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Self-assembled Hydrogels: An Overview

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Nano Hydrogels

Part of the book series: Gels Horizons: From Science to Smart Materials ((GHFSSM))

Abstract

Self-assembled hydrogels are a three-dimensional network of polymeric materials that are self-assembled either by physical or chemical crosslinking. Excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sensitivity towards physiological stimulus make these materials as the best candidate for tissue culture, drug delivery, and development of sensors that can be. implanted on the human body. Whereas, versatile bonding that exists between the polymeric chain and water molecules and its ability to chelate metal ions extends its applications to photovoltaics and optics. This chapter focusses on the classification of self-assembled hydrogels based on their source and the nature of crosslinking force. The hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of biomolecules and the various factors governing their self-assembly like coiled-coil motifs, beta sheets, and beta-hairpin were discussed in the part, which was followed by a discussion synthetic hydrogels and their three different categories based on their nature of crosslinking force. Self-assembled hybrid hydrogels that are developed by the two distinct types of molecules are also evaluated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SE-10691, Sweden

    Athira Anil & Jiya Jose

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  1. Athira Anil
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  2. Jiya Jose
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Correspondence to Jiya Jose .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Jiya Jose

  2. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    Sabu Thomas

  3. School of Aerospace, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK

    Vijay Kumar Thakur

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Anil, A., Jose, J. (2021). Self-assembled Hydrogels: An Overview. In: Jose, J., Thomas, S., Thakur, V.K. (eds) Nano Hydrogels. Gels Horizons: From Science to Smart Materials. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7138-1_14

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