Polymer-Based Gels

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 3092

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Grupo de Química Macromolecular (LABQUIMAC), Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, CSIC, 48940 Leioa, Spain
Interests: polymers; biopolymers

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection “Cristofor Simionescu”, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: cellulose; gels; lignin; wood chemistry; biomass; fibre
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-based gels represent a unique and versatile class of materials characterized by their ability to absorb significant amounts of solvent while maintaining their structural integrity.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue highlighting the importance of this research area, delving into the intricate world of polymer-based gels, and exploring their fundamental properties, their diverse applications, and the latest innovations driving their future.

There are three primary objectives for this Special Issue:

  • to provide a comprehensive overview of the types of polymers used in gel formation, including both natural polymers, such as cellulose, chitosan, and alginate, and synthetic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyacrylamide (PAM), with an emphasis on the chemistry behind gel formation, highlighting the roles of physical and chemical crosslinking and the mechanisms by which these materials swell and respond to environmental stimuli;
  • to explore the numerous applications of polymer-based gels across various fields: biomedical engineering, environmental applications, food industry, cosmetics, and the development of new, advanced uses;
  • to lay out the advantages and disadvantages of polymer-based gels, offering readers a balanced view of their capabilities and limitations and concluding with future directions and emerging trends, such as the integration of polymer gels into nanotechnology and smart materials, as well as their potential in sustainable practices and green chemistry.

This Special Issue will serve as an essential resource for researchers, engineers, and students, offering a thorough understanding of the science and technology behind polymer gels and sparking new ideas for their application in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Dr. Antonio Veloso-Fernández
Dr. Bogdan-Marian Tofanica
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

  • polymer gels
  • gel formation
  • smart materials
  • sustainable materials
  • biopolymers
  • polymer chemistry
  • gel synthesis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

39 pages, 5423 KB  
Review
Dual-Drug Delivery Systems Using Hydrogel–Nanoparticle Composites: Recent Advances and Key Applications
by Moon Sup Yoon, Jae Min Lee, Min Jeong Jo, Su Jeong Kang, Myeong Kyun Yoo, So Yeon Park, Sunghyun Bong, Chan-Su Park, Chun-Woong Park, Jin-Seok Kim, Sang-Bae Han, Hye Jin Lee and Dae Hwan Shin
Gels 2025, 11(7), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11070520 - 3 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2845
Abstract
Dual-drug delivery systems using hydrogel–nanoparticle composites have emerged as a versatile platform for achieving controlled, targeted, and efficient delivery of two distinct therapeutic agents. This approach combines the high loading capacity and tunable release properties of hydrogels with the enhanced stability and targeting [...] Read more.
Dual-drug delivery systems using hydrogel–nanoparticle composites have emerged as a versatile platform for achieving controlled, targeted, and efficient delivery of two distinct therapeutic agents. This approach combines the high loading capacity and tunable release properties of hydrogels with the enhanced stability and targeting ability of nanoparticles, providing synergistic benefits in various biomedical applications. While significant progress has been made, previous research has primarily focused on single-drug systems or simple co-delivery strategies, often lacking precise spatial and temporal control. This gap underscores the need for more sophisticated composite designs that enable programmable, multi-phase release. This review discusses representative fabrication methods, including physical embedding, covalent integration, and layer-by-layer assembly, to offer insights into practical implementation strategies. Also we present recent studies focusing on key applications—including wound healing, cancer therapy, infection prevention, transplant immunosuppression, and tissue regeneration—with an emphasis on composite design and formulation strategies, types of hydrogels and nanoparticles, and mechanisms of dual-drug release and evaluation. Recent advances in nanoparticle engineering and hydrogel formulation have enabled precise control over drug release and improved therapeutic outcomes. Dual-drug delivery systems using hydrogel–nanoparticle composites present a promising approach for overcoming the limitations of conventional monotherapy and achieving synergistic therapeutic effects. Ongoing research continues to optimize the design, efficacy, and safety of these systems, paving the way for their clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Based Gels)
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