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Gels
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Advances in Chitin- and Chitosan-Based Hydrogels (2nd Edition)
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Advances in Chitin- and Chitosan-Based Hydrogels (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3995

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Xinjian Cheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Environment, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430079, China
Interests: synthesis of polymers; hydrogels; fluorescent sensors; heavy metal detection; nitro-compounds detection and removal
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nature is a great reservoir of ideas for scientists worldwide, and at the same time, it is the direct source of a variety of materials with diverse properties, including some of the most popular biopolymers: chitin and chitosan. It is amazing how from the shells of marine crustaceans and the exoskeletons of invertebrates, we can derive products for later use in a variety of applications ranging from scaffolds for tissue engineering to drug delivery devices, wound patches, wastewater management technology, food packaging, and agricultural materials. We start with chitin, then we have its N-deacetylated derivative chitosan, and from there a variety of subsequent modifications are possible. This results in a great library of chitin- and chitosan-based biopolymers and their composites, which can be used to formulate hydrogels characterized by a set of useful properties. Scientific creativity has no limits, and we all pursue our work to find superior solutions to challenges faced in modern medicine, the environment, and the food and cosmetic industry.

We invite you to share your latest research on chitin- and chitosan-based hydrogels and subject-relevant reviews by submitting your manuscripts to this Special Issue. In the first edition, 13 papers were published, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/gels/special_issues/chitin_chitosan_gels.

Together, we can show how the field is advancing and stimulate further discussion and exchange of ideas.

Prof. Dr. Xinjian Cheng
Guest Editor

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

  • chitin
  • chitosan
  • chitin/chitosan derivatives
  • hydrogels
  • (nano)composites
  • tissue engineering
  • drug delivery
  • chitosan applications

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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19 pages, 3030 KiB  
Article
Effect of Chitosan Properties and Dissolution State on Solution Rheology and Film Performance in Triboelectric Nanogenerators
by Francisca Araújo, Solange Magalhães, Bruno Medronho, Alireza Eivazi, Christina Dahlström, Magnus Norgren and Luís Alves
Gels 2025, 11(7), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11070523 - 5 Jul 2025
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Chitosan films with potential application in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a promising approach to replace non-biobased materials in these innovative devices. In the present work, chitosan with varying molecular weights (MW) and degrees of deacetylation was dissolved in aqueous acetic acid (AA) at [...] Read more.
Chitosan films with potential application in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent a promising approach to replace non-biobased materials in these innovative devices. In the present work, chitosan with varying molecular weights (MW) and degrees of deacetylation was dissolved in aqueous acetic acid (AA) at different acid concentrations. It was observed that the MW had a greater influence on the viscosity of the solution compared to either the acid concentration or deacetylation degree. Gel formation occurred in high-MW chitosan solutions prepared with low AA concentration. Films prepared from chitosan solutions, through solvent-casting, were used to prepare TENGs. The power output of the TENGs increased with higher concentrations of AA used in the chitosan dissolution process. Similarly, the residual AA content in the dried films also increased with higher initial AA concentrations. Additionally, hot-pressing of the films significantly improves the TENG power output due to the decrease in morphological defects of the films. It was demonstrated that a good selection of the acid concentration not only facilitates the dissolution of chitosan but also plays a key role in defining the properties of the resulting solutions and films, thereby directly impacting the performance of the TENGs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chitin- and Chitosan-Based Hydrogels (2nd Edition))
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Review

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51 pages, 2012 KiB  
Review
Chitosan-Based Gel Development: Extraction, Gelation Mechanisms, and Biomedical Applications
by Nicoleta-Mirela Blebea, Ciprian Pușcașu, Robert-Alexandru Vlad and Gabriel Hancu
Gels 2025, 11(4), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040275 - 6 Apr 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3280
Abstract
Chitosan (CS), a versatile biopolymer obtained through the deacetylation of chitin, has gained significant interest in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique gel-forming capabilities. This review comprehensively analyzes CS-based gel development, covering its extraction from various natural sources, [...] Read more.
Chitosan (CS), a versatile biopolymer obtained through the deacetylation of chitin, has gained significant interest in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique gel-forming capabilities. This review comprehensively analyzes CS-based gel development, covering its extraction from various natural sources, gelation mechanisms, and biomedical applications. Different extraction methods, including chemical, biological, and green techniques, are discussed regarding efficiency and sustainability. The review explores the physicochemical properties of CS that influence its gelation behavior, highlighting various gelation mechanisms such as physical, ionic, and chemical cross-linking. Recent advances in gel formation, including Schiff base reactions, Diels–Alder click chemistry, and thermosensitive gelation, have expanded the applicability of CS hydrogels. Furthermore, CS-based gels have demonstrated potential in wound healing, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and antimicrobial applications, offering controlled drug release, enhanced biocompatibility, and tunable mechanical properties. The incorporation of nanomaterials, bioactive molecules, and functional cross-linkers has further improved hydrogel performance. The current review underscores the growing significance of CS-based gels as innovative biomaterials in regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical sciences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Chitin- and Chitosan-Based Hydrogels (2nd Edition))
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