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Tough Hydrogels with Different Toughening Mechanisms and Applications
Summary
This review examines advances in engineering tough hydrogels that can withstand significant mechanical stress, mimicking the properties of load-bearing biological tissues like cartilage and muscle. Researchers summarized various toughening strategies including double-network designs and nanocomposite reinforcement. The study highlights the potential of these materials for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and soft robotics.
Load-bearing biological tissues, such as cartilage and muscles, exhibit several crucial properties, including high elasticity, strength, and recoverability. These characteristics enable these tissues to endure significant mechanical stresses and swiftly recover after deformation, contributing to their exceptional durability and functionality. In contrast, while hydrogels are highly biocompatible and hold promise as synthetic biomaterials, their inherent network structure often limits their ability to simultaneously possess a diverse range of superior mechanical properties. As a result, the applications of hydrogels are significantly constrained. This article delves into the design mechanisms and mechanical properties of various tough hydrogels and investigates their applications in tissue engineering, flexible electronics, and other fields. The objective is to provide insights into the fabrication and application of hydrogels with combined high strength, stretchability, toughness, and fast recovery as well as their future development directions and challenges.