article · Applied Sciences
Hydrogel-based polymers are defined by hydrophilic chemical groups along their chains, including amine, hydroxyl, amide, and carboxyl groups. These functional groups give the materials the capacity to absorb water and aqueous solutions in amounts exceeding their own weight. As fluids enter the polymer network, the material expands and occupies a substantially larger volume, a characteristic known as swelling behaviour. Alongside these physical absorption features, strong biocompatibility and biodegradability make hydrogel polymers suitable for biomedical uses. Within this material category, chitosan serves as a natural copolymer capable of forming diverse hydrogel structures. Reviewing the structural makeup and functionality of chitosan clarifies how its unique characteristics govern the overall properties and behaviour of resulting hydrogel systems.
Understanding how natural materials absorb fluids and interact safely with living tissues is critical for developing new medical technologies. Chitosan offers a natural basis for hydrogels that are biocompatible and biodegradable, supporting safer materials for healthcare, tissue interaction, and fluid management.
The findings are relevant to biomedical researchers and developers seeking non-toxic, fluid-absorbing materials. Applications broadly target the biomedical sector, relying on the copolymer's swelling capacity and biocompatibility. However, as the abstract describes an overview of structure and function rather than an applied testing programme, this work sits at an early, foundational research stage without a direct commercial product pathway defined.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Hydrogel-based polymers are represented by those hydrophilic polymers having functional groups in their chain such as amine (NH2), hydroxyl [-OH], amide (-CONH-, -CONH2), and carboxyl [COOH]. These hydrophilic groups raise their potential to absorb fluids or aqueous solution more than their weights. This physicochemical mechanism leads to increased hydrogel expansion and occupation of larger volume, the process which shows in swelling behavior. With these unique properties, their use for biomedical application has been potentially raised owing also to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Chitosan as a natural copolymer, presents a subject for hydrogel structures and function. This review aimed to study the structure as well as the function of chitosan and its hydrogel properties.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/app9112193
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
