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Gels
Special Issues
Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties
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Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Chemistry and Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 June 2025 | Viewed by 4635

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andra-Cristina Enache

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Inorganic Polymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: polysaccharides; natural hydrogels; chemical/physical hydrogels; composites; material characterization
Dr. Corneliu Cojocaru

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Inorganic Polymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: aerogels; biosorption; green chemistry; molecular docking simulation
Dr. Petrisor Samoila

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Inorganic Polymers, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: nanocomposite hydrogels; magnetic materials; sol-gel synthesis; photocatalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce this Special Issue, titled "Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties". The uniqueness of hydrogels is reflected in their ability to be customized from the conceptualization phase in order to obtain particular end-use properties suitable for targeted applications. The goal of this Special Issue is to present the most recent innovative approaches in the design, synthesis, and investigation of tailored hydrogel properties. These may include aspects such as swelling behavior; specific physical, chemical, or mechanical properties; responsiveness to external stimuli; and/or compatibility with biological systems.

The topics to be addressed in this Special Issue include the synthesis of hydrogels through diverse methods or techniques; the exploration of gelation mechanisms; in-depth examination of specific properties through advanced characterization techniques; the incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles into hydrogel matrices; the demonstration of end-use properties required for biomedical advances; and environmental solutions, with a consideration of industrial applications.

In line with this, this Special Issue aims to highlight the cutting-edge influence of customized hydrogel development and pave the way for advancements in performance and applicability in real-world scenarios. Thus, authors are invited to submit original research papers (or critical reviews) to this Special Issue that emphasize the uniqueness of hydrogel-based materials from theoretical concepts to specific properties for prospective applications.

Dr. Andra-Cristina Enache
Dr. Corneliu Cojocaru
Dr. Petrisor Samoila
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • natural/synthetic/hybrid hydrogels
  • chemical/physical hydrogels
  • “smart” hydrogels
  • (nano)composite hydrogels
  • gelation mechanism
  • end-use properties

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4550 KiB  
Article
Development of Biomimetic Edible Scaffolds for Cultured Meat Based on the Traditional Freeze-Drying Method for Ito-Kanten (Japanese Freeze-Dried Agar)
by Ping Xia, Hiroki Miyajima and Satoshi Fujita
Gels 2025, 11(4), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040299 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 358
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to develop soy protein-derived edible porous hydrogel scaffolds for cultured meat based on mechanical anisotropy to mimic the physical and biochemical properties of muscle tissues. Based on the traditional Japanese Ito-Kanten (thread agar) freeze–thaw process, we used liquid [...] Read more.
In this study, we aimed to develop soy protein-derived edible porous hydrogel scaffolds for cultured meat based on mechanical anisotropy to mimic the physical and biochemical properties of muscle tissues. Based on the traditional Japanese Ito-Kanten (thread agar) freeze–thaw process, we used liquid nitrogen directional freezing combined with ion crosslinking to fabricate an aligned scaffold composed of soy protein isolate (SPI), carrageenan (CA), and sodium alginate (SA). SPI, CA, and SA were dissolved in water, heated, mixed, and subjected to directional freezing in liquid nitrogen. The frozen gel was immersed in Ca2+ and K+ solutions for low-temperature crosslinking, followed by a second freezing step and lyophilization to create the SPI/CA/SA cryogel scaffold with anisotropic pore structure. Furthermore, C2C12 myoblasts were seeded onto the scaffold. After 14 d of dynamic culture, the cells exhibited significant differentiation along the aligned structure of the scaffold. Overall, our developed anisotropic scaffold provided a biocompatible environment to promote directed cell differentiation, showing potential for cultured meat production and serving as a sustainable protein source. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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19 pages, 2942 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Encapsulating Bioactive Irish Honey into Pluronic-Based Thermoresponsive Hydrogels and Potential Application in Soft Tissue Regeneration
by Daniel P. Fitzpatrick, Emma Browne, Carmel Kealey, Damien Brady, Siobhan Kavanagh, Sinead Devery and Noel Gately
Gels 2025, 11(3), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030215 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 451
Abstract
Honey has been recognised for centuries for its potential therapeutic properties, and its application in wound healing has gained attention due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. With the rapid increase in multidrug resistance, there is a need for new or alternative [...] Read more.
Honey has been recognised for centuries for its potential therapeutic properties, and its application in wound healing has gained attention due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. With the rapid increase in multidrug resistance, there is a need for new or alternative approaches to traditional antibiotics. This paper focuses on the physicochemical changes that occur when formulating honey into Pluronic F127 hydrogels. The manual incorporation of honey, irrespective of quality type, presented the amelioration of Pluronic’s capacity to undergo sol–gel transitions, as investigated by parallel plate rheology. This novel finding was attributed to the formation of fractal aggregates via the hydrogen-bonding-induced irreversible aggregation of honey–PF127 micelles, which subsequently dominate the entire hydrogel system to form a gel. The hydrogen bonding of micelles was identified through Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). This is the first known study to provide physicochemical insight into the effects that honey incorporation has on the thermogelation capacity of Pluronic F127 hydrogels for downstream dermal wound applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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18 pages, 7158 KiB  
Article
A Robust Natural Rubber–Polyzwitterion Composite Hydrogel for Highly Enhanced Marine Anti-Biofouling
by Ye Sun, Dominic John, Yuxin Yan, Xueliang Feng, Qingrong Wei, Chunxin Ma, Zhenzhong Liu, Haimei Mao, Tuck-Whye Wong and Yun Chen
Gels 2025, 11(3), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030203 - 14 Mar 2025
Viewed by 548
Abstract
Polyzwitterion (PZW) hydrogel has excellent marine anti-biofouling performance, but it is difficult to effectively work for a long time in natural seawater due to its weak mechanical strength. In this study, a new natural rubber (NR)-PZW composite hydrogel has been reported for long-term [...] Read more.
Polyzwitterion (PZW) hydrogel has excellent marine anti-biofouling performance, but it is difficult to effectively work for a long time in natural seawater due to its weak mechanical strength. In this study, a new natural rubber (NR)-PZW composite hydrogel has been reported for long-term anti-biofouling by simply dispersing NR latex into the poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA) hydrogel network. First of all, owing to the PZW hydrogel network having an anti-polyelectrolyte effect, this NR-PZW hydrogel can provide outstanding anti-biofouling performance, including broad-spectrum anti-bacteria, anti-algae, and anti-protein properties in marine environments. Furthermore, it has a composited natural rubber nanoparticle with a hydrophilic negatively charged outer protein membrane, which can uniformly disperse in the hydrogel to significantly improve its mechanical properties. Therefore, this composited hydrogel can provide not only highly enhanced tensile strength (0.52 MPa) but also ultra-high breaking elongation (738%), which can effectually resist harsh seawater environments. As a result, the NR-PZW composite hydrogel can achieve excellent anti-biofouling performance for more than 3 months within a real marine environment. This work can provide an excellent, robust polyzwitterionic hydrogel for long-term marine anti-biofouling, which will also inspire new strategies for anti-biofouling materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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14 pages, 4092 KiB  
Article
Tuning the Swelling Behavior of Superabsorbent Hydrogels with a Branched Poly(aspartic acid) Crosslinker
by Sunggyu Shin, Sangjin Kim, Sukhyeon Hong, Namhyun Kim, Juhwan Kang and Jaehyun Jeong
Gels 2025, 11(3), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030161 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
Superabsorbent hydrogels used in products like diapers, hygiene items, and medical patches depend on their swelling ratio. However, improving the swelling performance across hydrogel assemblies remains challenging. This study identifies a decline in the water absorption capacity in hydrogel assemblies with high swelling [...] Read more.
Superabsorbent hydrogels used in products like diapers, hygiene items, and medical patches depend on their swelling ratio. However, improving the swelling performance across hydrogel assemblies remains challenging. This study identifies a decline in the water absorption capacity in hydrogel assemblies with high swelling ratios, as confirmed through MRI analysis, and introduces a solution using a branched crosslinker to address this issue. The branched crosslinker was synthesized by grafting acrylate groups onto poly(aspartic acid)s. This branched poly(aspartic acid) crosslinker was incorporated into hydrogels with the same number of acrylate groups as PEGDA575, a conventional linear crosslinker, and their absorption performance and behavior were compared. The results showed that hydrogels with the branched crosslinker exhibited a swelling ratio twice as high as the PEGDA575 group, with a slower initial absorption rate, demonstrating a more gradual swelling behavior. Additionally, while the initial absorption rate was approximately 30% slower than the PEGDA575 group, the absorption rate showed a gradual decrease of less than 15% within the first 30 min, indicating sustained absorption behavior. Overall, the new strategy presented in this study of introducing a branched crosslinker into hydrogels is expected to be a useful application for existing industries by enhancing swelling ratios and promoting continuous absorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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16 pages, 4927 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Antibacterial Action of Norfloxacin-Encapsulated G4 Hydrogels: The Role of Boronic Acid and Cyclodextrin
by Monica-Cornelia Sardaru, Irina Rosca, Simona Morariu, Elena-Laura Ursu and Alexandru Rotaru
Gels 2025, 11(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11010035 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1051
Abstract
In this present study, we developed and characterized a series of supramolecular G4 hydrogels by integrating β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and boronic acid linkers into a supramolecular matrix to enhance antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). We systematically investigated [...] Read more.
In this present study, we developed and characterized a series of supramolecular G4 hydrogels by integrating β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and boronic acid linkers into a supramolecular matrix to enhance antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). We systematically investigated how varying the number of free boronic acid moieties (ranging from two to six), along with guanosine and β-CD content, influences both the structural integrity and antimicrobial efficacy of these materials. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, circular dichroism, X-ray diffraction, SEM, AFM, and rheological measurements confirmed successful synthesis and revealed that higher boronic acid content correlated with a stronger, more organized network. The most effective hydrogel displayed an inhibition zone of 25 mm in disk diffusion assays, and was further explored as a drug delivery platform, with the aim to exploit the capacity of the free β-CD cavity of the hydrogels to incorporate hydrophobic drugs. Norfloxacin (Nfx), a poorly water-soluble antibiotic, was successfully encapsulated within the hydrogel matrix through the inclusion of complex formation with β-CD, improving its solubility and enabling sustained, targeted release. The Nfx-loaded hydrogel expanded the inhibition zone to 49 mm and completely eradicated S. aureus cells within 24 h, outperforming both the unloaded hydrogel and free Nfx. These results highlight the synergistic effect of boronic acid moieties and controlled drug release, underlining the potential of these hydrogels as versatile platforms for localized antimicrobial therapy, such as in wound dressings or implant coatings. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies and long-term stability assessments are needed to fully establish clinical relevance, safety, and scalability before these systems can be translated into routine healthcare applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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Review

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27 pages, 4099 KiB  
Review
Toward Customizable Smart Gels: A Comprehensive Review of Innovative Printing Techniques and Applications
by Rizwan Ul Hassan, Naseem Abbas and Jongkuk Ko
Gels 2025, 11(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11010032 - 2 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1034
Abstract
New production technologies have transformed modern engineering fields, including electronics, mechanics, robotics, and biomedicine. These advancements have led to the creation of smart materials such as alloys, polymers, and gels that respond to various stimuli. This review focuses on smart materials (SMs), including [...] Read more.
New production technologies have transformed modern engineering fields, including electronics, mechanics, robotics, and biomedicine. These advancements have led to the creation of smart materials such as alloys, polymers, and gels that respond to various stimuli. This review focuses on smart materials (SMs), including their variety and fabrication techniques, that can be used to construct three- or four-dimensional structures. The mechanisms and designs of smart materials, limitations of current printing technologies, and perspectives for their future uses are also discussed in this review. The printed smart materials are expected to have a major impact on the design of real-world applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customizing Hydrogels: A Journey from Concept to End-Use Properties)
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