Functionalization of High-Strength Hydrogels with Regular Network Structures

As a cross-linked polymeric material with plenty of water inside, polymer hydrogel has been widely used in many fields such as food, cosmetics and biomedicine. However, traditional polymer hydrogel is lack of good mechanical performance, which limits its further applications in high-tech fields. In the past decades, the emergence of a series of high-strength polymer hydrogels with homogenous or special network structures has been improved this situation largely. Among these hydrogels, composite hydrogel, double network hydrogel, Tetra PEG hydrogel and topological gel are representatives. However, in order to be applied in high-tech fields such as artificial tissues, wearable devices and 3D printing, the hydrogels should possess functionality as well as high strength. Therefore, on the basis of numerous of extensive studies on structures and basic properties of the high strength polymer hydrogels, functionalizing these high-strength polymer hydrogels has been attracted much attention. Herein, recent progress in functionalization of the high-strength polymer hydrogels has been reviewed, and the four types of high-strength polymer hydrogels mentioned above are mainly involved. Finally, challenges in research and the perspective on the future directions of these fields are briefly discussed.