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Gels
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Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities
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Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 5648

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iván Torres Moya

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Guest Editor
Department of Inorganic, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Science and Technologies, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Interests: organogels; drug crystallization; optical waveguides; organic field-effect transistors (OFETs); organic light emmiting diodes (OLEDs); solar cells; organic synthesis; computational chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pilar Prieto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Inorganic, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Science and Technologies, Instituto Regional de Investigación Científica Aplicada (IRICA), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Interests: organic synthesis; supramolecular chemistry; optical waveguide; computational chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to present this Special Issue of our journal, dedicated to a field that is revolutionizing multiple industries, entitled Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities. Gel-based materials have proven essential in areas ranging from biomedicine to tissue engineering, as well as in food science and energy storage technology. However, along with their vast applications come challenges that must be addressed to fully harness their potential.

This Special Issue brings together a selection of articles that explore both the opportunities and challenges inherent in gel-related materials. Through a series of pioneering studies and research, our contributors examine topics such as the optimization of the mechanical properties of hydrogels, the design of ultra-lightweight aerogels for energy applications, and innovations in biocompatible gels for medical use.

We face challenges such as the long-term stability of these materials, their scalability for industrial production, and the need to develop more sustainable synthesis methods. Yet, the opportunities they present are immense. From creating new biomedical devices to developing sustainable solutions for industry, gel-based materials continue to push the boundaries of science and engineering.

We hope this Special Issue serves as a platform to inspire new ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and open new avenues of research in this fascinating field. Join us on this journey through the challenges and opportunities that define the future of gel-related materials. The submission of both experimental and theoretical studies is welcome.

Dr. Iván Torres Moya
Dr. Pilar Prieto
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

  • gels
  • organogels
  • hydrogels
  • chemical gels
  • gels made in mixtures
  • gels made in solvents
  • drug delivery
  • drug crystallization

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3495 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on Thermal Performance Optimization of Na2HPO4·12H2O-Based Gel Phase Change Materials for Solar Greenhouse
by Wenhe Liu, Gui Liu, Wenlu Shi, Xinyang Tang, Xuhui Wu, Jiayang Wu, Zhanyang Xu, Feng Zhang and Mengmeng Yang
Gels 2025, 11(6), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11060434 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 203
Abstract
The content of modified materials in multicomponent gel phase change materials directly affects their performance characteristics. To investigate the influence of different contents of modified materials on the performance features of Na2HPO4·12H2O-based multicomponent Gel Phase Change Materials, [...] Read more.
The content of modified materials in multicomponent gel phase change materials directly affects their performance characteristics. To investigate the influence of different contents of modified materials on the performance features of Na2HPO4·12H2O-based multicomponent Gel Phase Change Materials, four single factors (Na2SiO3·9H2O, C35H49O29, KCl, and nano-α-Fe2O3) and their interactions were selected as influencing factors. Using the Taguchi method with an L27(313) orthogonal array, multi-step melt–blending experiments were conducted to prepare a novel multi-component phase change material. The characteristics of the new multi-component phase change material, including supercooling degree (ΔT), phase change temperature (Tm), latent heat of phase change (ΔHm), and cooling time (CT), were obtained. In addition, characterization techniques such as DSC, SEM, FT-IR, and XRD were employed to analyze its thermal properties, microscopic morphology, chemical stability, and crystal structure. Based on the experimental results, the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) was used to rank the influence of each factor on the quality characteristics, and the p-value from analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to evaluate the significance of each factor on the performance characteristics. Then, the effects of each significant factor on the characteristics of the multiple gel phase change materials were analyzed in detail, and the optimal mixing ratio of the new multiple gel phase change materials was selected. The results showed that Na2SiO3·9H2O, KCl, and α-Fe2O3 were the most critical process parameters. This research work enriches the selection of composite gel phase change materials for solar greenhouses and provides guidance for the selection of different modified material contents using Na2HPO4·12H2O as the starting material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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18 pages, 12409 KiB  
Article
Effect of Calcination Temperature and Strontium Addition on the Properties of Sol-Gelled Bioactive Glass Powder
by Pei-Jung Chang, Jia-Yu Chen, Chi-Han Cheng, Kazuhiro Aoki, Cherng-Yuh Su and Chung-Kwei Lin
Gels 2025, 11(6), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11060401 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Strontium-added bioactive glass (SBG) has been widely used in bone tissue engineering. SBG can be prepared by conventional high-temperature melt-quenching or calcining sol-gelled powder at 700 °C or above. In the present study, the effects of calcination temperature (400–650 °C) and the amount [...] Read more.
Strontium-added bioactive glass (SBG) has been widely used in bone tissue engineering. SBG can be prepared by conventional high-temperature melt-quenching or calcining sol-gelled powder at 700 °C or above. In the present study, the effects of calcination temperature (400–650 °C) and the amount of strontium addition (0–7 mL.%) were investigated simultaneously. The sol-gel process and post-calcination were used to prepare the Sr-added 58S bioactive glass (SBG) powders. The bioactivity of the SBG powder was assessed by immersing it in simulated body fluid, while biocompatibility and cytotoxicity were evaluated using L929 and MG63 cells, and a zebrafish animal model. The calcination temperatures were determined by thermogravimetric analysis based on the weight loss at various stages. X-ray diffraction was used to reveal the crystalline structure of calcined or SBF-immersed SBG powders. Meanwhile, the texture characteristics of SBG powders were examined by the BET method. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the absorption bands and powder morphology of SBG powders before and after SBF immersion. The experimental results showed that all SBG powders were mesoporous with a high specific surface area larger than 200 m2/g. SBG powder calcined at 650 °C with 5% Sr addition possessed a major Ca14.92(PO4)2.35(SiO4)5.65 phase, the smallest pore size of 5.86 nm, and the largest specific surface area of 233 m2/g. It was noncytotoxic and exhibited good bioactivity and biocompatibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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14 pages, 2989 KiB  
Article
Ultra-High Dose Rate Electron Beam Dosimetry Using Ag Nanoparticle-Enhanced nPAG and NIBMAGAT Gels
by Mantvydas Merkis, Akvile Slektaite-Kisone, Marius Burkanas, Aleksandras Cicinas, Mindaugas Dziugelis, Vaidas Klimkevicius, Diana Adliene and Jonas Venius
Gels 2025, 11(5), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11050336 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 279
Abstract
FLASH radiation therapy is an emerging technique that provides several advantages over conventional radiotherapy. By delivering ultra-high dose rate radiation, the damage to healthy tissues surrounding the treatment area is minimized, treatment time is reduced and treatment outcomes of radioresistant tumors are improved. [...] Read more.
FLASH radiation therapy is an emerging technique that provides several advantages over conventional radiotherapy. By delivering ultra-high dose rate radiation, the damage to healthy tissues surrounding the treatment area is minimized, treatment time is reduced and treatment outcomes of radioresistant tumors are improved. Despite its promising potential, FLASH radiation therapy remains relatively understudied, particularly in the field of dosimetry. Polymer gel dosimetry is a promising technique for verifying FLASH radiation therapy because it enables volumetric dose distribution measurements with high spatial accuracy. This study investigates the applicability of two commonly used polymer gel dosimeters, nPAG and NIBMAGAT, enhanced with nanoparticles, in ultra-high dose rate radiation therapy. The results indicate that NIBMAGAT gel, enriched with Ag nanoparticles, outperforms nPAG. NIBMAGAT gel exhibits less saturation at high doses, maintains dose rate independence and offers comparable sensitivity to nPAG formulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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15 pages, 5488 KiB  
Article
Regulation of the Properties of the Hierarchical Porous Structure of Alumophosphate Molecular Sieves AEL by Reaction Gels Prepared with Different Templates
by Arthur R. Zabirov, Dmitry V. Serebrennikov, Rezeda Z. Kuvatova, Nadezhda A. Filippova, Rufina A. Zilberg, Olga S. Travkina and Marat R. Agliullin
Gels 2025, 11(4), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040297 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Microporous alumophosphate molecular sieves AlPO4-n are promising materials for use in catalysis, gas adsorption, and gas separation. However, AlPO4-n faces problems such as diffusion limitations that lead to a deterioration in mass transfer. To solve this problem, we studied [...] Read more.
Microporous alumophosphate molecular sieves AlPO4-n are promising materials for use in catalysis, gas adsorption, and gas separation. However, AlPO4-n faces problems such as diffusion limitations that lead to a deterioration in mass transfer. To solve this problem, we studied the crystallization of alumophosphate reaction gels prepared using aluminum isopropoxide and various secondary amines as templates, including diethyl-, di-n-propyl-, diisopropyl-, and di-n-butylamines. Using X-ray diffraction, Ramon spectroscopy, and STEM methods, it has been demonstrated that the reaction gels prepared using DPA, DIPA, and DBA are amorphous xerogels consisting of 5–10 nm nanoparticles. The reaction gel prepared with DEA is a combination of a layered phase and an amorphous aluminophosphate. It has been shown that the use of aluminum iso-propoxide allows the production of AlPO4-11 in the form of 2–4 µm aggregates consisting of primary AlPO4-11 nanocrystals. The template was found to exert a significant effect upon both the characteristics of the porous structure and the size of AlPO-11 nanocrystals. A template is proposed for the synthesis of hierarchical AlPO4-11 with a maximum volume of mesopores. The morphology and crystal size of AlPO4-11 were found to strongly influence its adsorption properties in the adsorption of octane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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21 pages, 3840 KiB  
Article
Newly Designed Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Membrane for Simultaneous Cr and Mn Speciation in Waters
by Penka Vasileva and Irina Karadjova
Gels 2025, 11(3), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030205 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 561
Abstract
A sol-gel approach was used to prepare a thin hydrogel membrane based on an organic-inorganic polymer matrix embedded with pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The organic polymers utilized were poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) 400 (PEO) while tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) served as a precursor [...] Read more.
A sol-gel approach was used to prepare a thin hydrogel membrane based on an organic-inorganic polymer matrix embedded with pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The organic polymers utilized were poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) 400 (PEO) while tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) served as a precursor for the inorganic silica polymer. AuNPs were synthesized using D-glucose as a reducing agent and starch as a capping agent. A mixture of PVA, PEO, pre-hydrolyzed TEOS, and AuNP dispersions was cast and dried at 50 °C to obtain the hybrid hydrogel membrane. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of the nanocomposite membrane were analyzed using TEM, SEM, XRD, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The newly designed hybrid hydrogel membrane was utilized as an efficient sorbent for the simultaneous speciation analysis of valence species of chromium and manganese in water samples via solid-phase extraction. This study revealed that Cr(III) and Mn(II) could be simultaneously adsorbed onto the PVA/PEO/SiO2/AuNP membrane at pH 9 while Cr(VI) and Mn(VII) remained in solution due to their inability to bind under these conditions. Under optimized parameters, detection limits and relative standard deviations were determined for chromium and manganese species. The developed analytical method was successfully applied for the simultaneous speciation analysis of chromium and manganese in drinking water and wastewater samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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14 pages, 2359 KiB  
Article
Role of the Molecular Mass on the Elastic Properties of Hybrid Carrageenan Hydrogels
by Gabriela Gonçalves, Bruno Faria, Izabel Cristina Freitas Moraes and Loic Hilliou
Gels 2025, 11(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11010077 - 20 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1018
Abstract
A set of carrageenans produced in the potassium form and with chemical structures varying from pure iota-carrageenans to nearly pure kappa-carrageenans is submitted to ultrasonication to reduce their molecular masses Mw while maintaining a constant chemical structure and a polydispersity index around 2. [...] Read more.
A set of carrageenans produced in the potassium form and with chemical structures varying from pure iota-carrageenans to nearly pure kappa-carrageenans is submitted to ultrasonication to reduce their molecular masses Mw while maintaining a constant chemical structure and a polydispersity index around 2. The kinetics of ultrasound-induced chain scission are found to be slower for polysaccharides richer in kappa-carrageenan disaccharide units. From the elasticity of samples directly gelled in a rheometer at 1 w/v% in 0.1 M potassium chloride, a critical molecular mass Mc is identified as the mass below which no gel can be formed. Mc is found to be smaller for kappa- and kappa-2-carrageenans of the order of 0.13–0.21 MDa. The presence of more sulphated disaccharide units significantly increases Mc up to 0.28 MDa for iota-carrageenan and 0.57 MDa for a highly sulphated hybrid carrageenan. For the set of Mw and carrageenans tested, no plateau in the Mw dependence of the gels’ elasticities is found. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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Review

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16 pages, 2221 KiB  
Review
Gel-Based Approaches to Vegan Leather: Opportunities and Challenges in Mimicking Leather Properties
by Soon Mo Choi, Do Hyun Lee, Sun Mi Zo, Ankur Sood and Sung Soo Han
Gels 2025, 11(6), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11060395 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 360
Abstract
Recently, increased global awareness of environmental sustainability and ethical consumerism has amplified the demand for sustainable alternatives to animal-derived leather. Traditional leather manufacturing faces significant ethical and ecological challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, deforestation, and toxic chemical usage. Vegan leather [...] Read more.
Recently, increased global awareness of environmental sustainability and ethical consumerism has amplified the demand for sustainable alternatives to animal-derived leather. Traditional leather manufacturing faces significant ethical and ecological challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, deforestation, and toxic chemical usage. Vegan leather has emerged as a promising solution, predominantly fabricated from petroleum-based synthetic materials such as polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, these materials have sustainability limitations due to their non-biodegradability and associated environmental burdens. To overcome these issues, this review critically explores the feasibility of developing vegan leather using gel-based materials derived from natural and synthetic polymers. These materials offer precise structural controllability, excellent biodegradability, and the potential for significantly improved mechanical performance through hybridization and nanocomposite strategies. Despite their promising attributes, gel-based materials face significant limitations, including insufficient tensile strength, poor abrasion resistance, susceptibility to swelling, limited long-term stability, and challenges in scaling up for industrial production. This paper outlines the structural and physical properties required for viable leather substitutes, reviews opportunities provided by gel-based materials, addresses associated technical challenges, and proposes comprehensive strategies for enhancing mechanical properties and developing sustainable, eco-friendly production processes. Future research directions emphasize hybrid composite development, nanoparticle integration, circular manufacturing processes, and multi-disciplinary collaboration to establish gel-based vegan leather as a viable, sustainable, and market-competitive alternative to conventional animal leather. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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23 pages, 3379 KiB  
Review
Hydrogel-Based Biomaterials: A Patent Landscape on Innovation Trends and Patterns
by Ahmed Fatimi, Fouad Damiri, Nada El Arrach, Houria Hemdani, Adina Magdalena Musuc and Mohammed Berrada
Gels 2025, 11(3), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11030216 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1293
Abstract
The hydrogel patent landscape is characterized by rapid growth and diverse applications, particularly in the biomedical field. Advances in material science, chemistry, novel manufacturing techniques, and a deeper understanding of biological systems have revolutionized the development of hydrogel-based biomaterials. These innovations have led [...] Read more.
The hydrogel patent landscape is characterized by rapid growth and diverse applications, particularly in the biomedical field. Advances in material science, chemistry, novel manufacturing techniques, and a deeper understanding of biological systems have revolutionized the development of hydrogel-based biomaterials. These innovations have led to enhanced properties and expanded applications, particularly in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and tissue engineering, positioning hydrogels as a pivotal material in the future of biomedical engineering. In this study, an updated patent landscape for hydrogel-based biomaterials is proposed. By analyzing patent documents, classifications, jurisdictions, and applicants, an overview is provided to characterize key trends and insights. The analysis reveals that hydrogel-related patents are experiencing significant growth, with a strong focus on biomedical applications. Foundational research in hydrogel formation remains dominant, with 96,987 patent documents highlighting advancements in crosslinking techniques, polysaccharide-based materials, and biologically active hydrogels for wound care and tissue regeneration. The United States and China lead in hydrogel-related patent filings, with notable contributions from Europe and a high number of international patents under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system, reflecting the global interest in hydrogel technologies. Moreover, emerging innovations include biodegradable hydrogels designed for tissue regeneration, wearable hydrogel-based sensors, and advanced therapeutic applications such as chemoembolization agents and vascular defect treatments. The increasing integration of bioactive elements in hydrogel systems is driving the development of multifunctional biomaterials tailored to specific medical and environmental needs. While this study focuses on patent trends, the alignment between hydrogel research and patenting activities underscores the role of patents in bridging scientific discoveries with industrial applications. Future research could explore patent citation analysis and impact assessments to gain deeper insights into the technological significance of hydrogel-related inventions. Finally, a selection of the top 10 recent active and granted patents in the field of hydrogel-based biomaterials is presented as an illustrative example of innovation in this area and to illustrate cutting-edge innovations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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19 pages, 6598 KiB  
Review
The Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) Core as a Gel-Forming Material: Current Status and Untapped Potential
by Abelardo Sánchez-Oliva and Iván Torres-Moya
Gels 2025, 11(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11020134 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 839
Abstract
The diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) core is widely recognized for its applications in organic electronics and photonics due to its exceptional electronic and optical properties. Recently, DPP-based materials have shown remarkable π–π stacking interactions and tunable self-assembly, making them promising candidates for gel formation. However, [...] Read more.
The diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) core is widely recognized for its applications in organic electronics and photonics due to its exceptional electronic and optical properties. Recently, DPP-based materials have shown remarkable π–π stacking interactions and tunable self-assembly, making them promising candidates for gel formation. However, the development of DPP-based gels remains in its infancy, primarily hindered by challenges such as limited gelation efficiency, poor mechanical robustness, and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Overcoming these issues is crucial for unlocking their full potential in functional soft materials. This review compiles and analyzes existing studies on DPP-containing gel systems, highlighting their structural versatility, self-assembly mechanisms, and advantages over conventional gelators. By examining these works, we identify key strategies for DPP gel formation, evaluate their physicochemical performance, and discuss innovative approaches to address current limitations. Finally, we propose future research directions to advance the field and establish DPP-based gels as a robust platform for next-generation soft materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Related Materials: Challenges and Opportunities)
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