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Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and...
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Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (2nd Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 4685

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mingning Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
Interests: polymers and colloids; nanogels; biomaterials; fluorescent nanoprobe; hydrogels and adhesives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Wenkai Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: microgels and nanogels; colloidosomes; microcapsules; hydrogels; surface and interface chemistry; supermolecules; soft device
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ruixue Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhoug University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: microgels; hydrogels; smart polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qinghua Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechanical University, Xi’an 710072, China
Interests: bioprinting; additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 2nd edition of the Special Issue on “Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydrogels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications” is dedicated to the recent advances in the macro- and micro-hydrogel field. In the first edition, 10 papers were published, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/gels/special_issues/J596924P2D

Within this context, a broad range of subjects, including hydrogel preparation and characterization, mechanism expression, and applications, will be discussed.

Hydrogels are 3D cross-linked polymer networks with a high content of water, which can be divided into macroscopic and microscopic gels according to their size. Macroscopic gels are usually directly referred to as hydrogels because of their large size and can be discerned by the naked eye. Microscopic gels are also called microgels or nanogels; scholars generally consider hydrogels with a size of 20-200 nm to be nanogels, and those with a size larger than 200 nm to be microgels. In recent years, macro- and micro-hydrogels have been widely developed and applied in biomedical engineering, antibacterial coatings, soft robots, flexible materials and other fields due to their advantages of softness, swellability, fast response and good biocompatibility.

This Special Issue focuses on the design of functional macro- and micro-hydrogels by controlling their synthesis and characterization, including theoretical and fundamental aspects. Their physical and chemical properties can be affected by factors such as the choice of monomers, polymers and crosslinking methods. Research should cover new methods and ideas for preparing gels, as well as the construction of new functional hydrogel materials that have advanced interdisciplinary applications.

We look forward to receiving your valued contributions to this Special Issue.

Dr. Mingning Zhu
Dr. Wenkai Wang
Dr. Ruixue Liu
Dr. Qinghua Wei
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • multifunctional gels
  • multiscale structure
  • stimuli responses
  • multiple sensing
  • colloids and interfaces
  • mechanical character
  • biomaterials
  • flexible electronics
  • controlled release
  • photoluminescence probe
  • adhesives and dressings

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3607 KB  
Article
A Multifunctional Shape-Adaptive Bilayer Hydrogel for Acute Hemostasis, Wound Repair, and Insect Bite Defense
by Rongyan He, Wenhui Yan, Qiuyu Cao, Chun Zhang, Yuxiu Ye, Yao Chen, Shaoxian Wu, Fei Han and Sulan Luo
Gels 2026, 12(4), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12040347 - 21 Apr 2026
Abstract
Fieldwork carries a high risk of irregular, non-compressible traumatic wounds, which often initiate a vicious cycle of “traumatic bleeding-insect bite-secondary infection”. Conventional dressings cannot combine rapid hemostasis with physical protection against venomous insects, creating an urgent demand for multifunctional field trauma dressings. To [...] Read more.
Fieldwork carries a high risk of irregular, non-compressible traumatic wounds, which often initiate a vicious cycle of “traumatic bleeding-insect bite-secondary infection”. Conventional dressings cannot combine rapid hemostasis with physical protection against venomous insects, creating an urgent demand for multifunctional field trauma dressings. To solve this problem, this study developed a shape-adaptive bilayer hydrogel that concurrently provides rapid hemostasis, promotes wound repair, and acts as a robust physical barrier. The hydrogel adopts a layered design: the bottom layer (PPTY) achieves autogelation within 3 s upon blood contact, while the top armor protective layer (AP) withstands pressures up to 942 kPa. By incorporating chitosan and sodium citrate into the AP precursor solution, the hydrogel achieved in situ formation within 50 s and developed a stable self-renewing armor layer. The tightly bonded bilayer showed complementary functions. In rat models of femoral artery puncture and tail vein bleeding, PPTY-AP hydrogel significantly reduced blood loss and shortened hemostasis time. Moreover, the hydrogel demonstrated excellent tissue adhesion and moisture retention capacity, promoting full-thickness skin wound healing. This multifunctional, rapidly deployable hydrogel presents a promising solution for field trauma management and offers a new design paradigm for advanced wound dressings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (2nd Edition))
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41 pages, 21956 KB  
Article
Sustainable ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 Nanoparticles Synthesized from Coconut-Derived Media Incorporated into Bioactive ALG/PVA Hydrogel Dressings
by Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă, Alexandra Cristina Burdușel, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Carmen Curuțiu, Alina Maria Holban, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ariana Hudiță, Bianca Gălățeanu, Bogdan Severus Gaspar and Alfred Najm
Gels 2026, 12(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12030243 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 467
Abstract
The adaptive nature of bacteria and their increasing resistance to conventional therapies demand alternative strategies to effectively control wound infections. At the wound site, dynamic biological processes are easily disrupted by microbial colonization, compromising normal healing. In this study, Zn-based nanoparticles composed of [...] Read more.
The adaptive nature of bacteria and their increasing resistance to conventional therapies demand alternative strategies to effectively control wound infections. At the wound site, dynamic biological processes are easily disrupted by microbial colonization, compromising normal healing. In this study, Zn-based nanoparticles composed of zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc phosphate (Zn3(PO4)2) were synthesized via a green route using coconut milk and coconut water as biological media. Although ZnO formation via zinc hydroxide intermediates was initially targeted, structural analyses revealed a multiphase Zn-based system resulting from interactions between Zn2+ ions and naturally occurring phosphate species in the coconut-derived sources. The resulting material was incorporated into sodium alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel dressings, further enhanced with spirulina and aronia powders. Physicochemical characterization (XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR), along with swelling and degradation studies, confirmed structural stability and appropriate hydrogel behavior. Antimicrobial testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli demonstrated a dominant antibiofilm effect of the Zn-based nanoparticles, while botanical additives exhibited moderate, time-dependent activity. Biological evaluation demonstrated good cytocompatibility toward human keratinocytes and murine macrophages, with botanical additives mitigating mild nanoparticle-induced cellular responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (2nd Edition))
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19 pages, 2541 KB  
Article
Dopamine-Conjugated Methacrylated Gelatin Hydrogel—Physical, Mechanical, and Biological Properties
by Weiwen Lu, Maedeh Rahimnejad, Beatriz Ometto Sahadi and Marco C. Bottino
Gels 2025, 11(7), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11070499 - 26 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3165
Abstract
This study develops and characterizes GelMA–dopamine conjugates as novel tissue adhesives, offering an alternative to sutures. GelMA was synthesized at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v) with medium and high dopamine (DOPA) conjugation. Adhesives were evaluated for swelling, degradation, mechanical [...] Read more.
This study develops and characterizes GelMA–dopamine conjugates as novel tissue adhesives, offering an alternative to sutures. GelMA was synthesized at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v) with medium and high dopamine (DOPA) conjugation. Adhesives were evaluated for swelling, degradation, mechanical strength, and cytocompatibility using AlamarBlue assays and F-actin staining to assess cell viability and adhesion. Our findings indicate that DOPA conjugation significantly reduced the swelling ratio while increasing the biodegradation rate, resulting in enhanced release of free methacrylate groups over time. The mechanical properties and adhesion capabilities showed a complex relationship with DOPA substitution. Notably, the formulation containing 10% GelMA with high dopamine conjugation (HD) exhibited superior adhesion and mechanical strength. All formulations demonstrated shear-thinning behavior and recovery, making them suitable for injection and bioprinting applications. Although increased DOPA levels negatively affected crosslinking, the optimal formulation achieved a balance between adhesion and gel concentration. Rapid crosslinking was achieved within five minutes, enhancing the material’s suitability for clinical applications. In vitro cell-based assays confirmed the non-cytotoxic nature of the optimal adhesives, with metabolic activity showing significant increases over a 7-day period. These advancements support the development of improved tissue adhesives, potentially reducing reliance on sutures and enhancing wound healing outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (2nd Edition))
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Review

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39 pages, 4997 KB  
Review
Food-Grade Microgels for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Design, Fabrication, and Targeted Delivery
by Sun Ju Kim, Dong Yoon Kim, Daehyeok Jeong, Changmin Lee, Hyun-Dong Cho and Minsoo P. Kim
Gels 2026, 12(3), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12030252 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 619
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide and is driven by complex pathophysiological processes, including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, complement dysregulation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated neovascularization. Nutritional interventions—particularly supplementation with carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, [...] Read more.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide and is driven by complex pathophysiological processes, including oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, complement dysregulation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated neovascularization. Nutritional interventions—particularly supplementation with carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and essential micronutrients—have demonstrated clinical benefits in slowing disease progression, as evidenced by landmark trials such as AREDS and AREDS2. However, many AMD-relevant bioactives exhibit poor aqueous solubility, low chemical stability, and limited gastrointestinal bioavailability, which significantly constrain their therapeutic efficacy. Food-grade microgels have emerged as versatile colloidal delivery platforms capable of addressing these limitations through rational structural and physicochemical design. This review provides a systematic roadmap for developing food-grade microgels, organized into: (1) the molecular design of protein- and polysaccharide-based networks; (2) advanced fabrication strategies such as microfluidics and atomization; (3) spatiotemporal release programming within the gastrointestinal tract; and (4) multi-nutrient synergy for retinal protection. This approach highlights how controlled crosslinking, interfacial assembly, and tunable network architectures enhance nutrient stabilization. Particular emphasis is placed on spatiotemporal release programming within the gastrointestinal tract, including diffusion-limited gastric retention, pH- and bile-responsive swelling in the small intestine, and microbiota-triggered degradation in the colon. These mechanisms collectively enable region-specific release, improved micellar incorporation, enhanced systemic absorption, and more consistent retinal delivery. Furthermore, we discuss co-encapsulation strategies that accommodate both hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactives, thereby minimizing antagonistic interactions and enabling synergistic nutritional modulation of oxidative and inflammatory pathways implicated in AMD. A central novelty of this review is the integration of the gut–eye axis, framing microgel-based oral delivery as a systemic pathway to modulate retinal health via the intestinal environment. By bridging retinal disease biology with food colloid science, this review proposes food-grade microgels as a translational platform for next-generation nutraceutical interventions. The integration of programmable release behavior with clinically validated nutrient regimens offers a promising pathway toward more effective and mechanistically informed dietary management of AMD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifunctional Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Hydro- Gels: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (2nd Edition))
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