Recent trends in pH/thermo-responsive self-assembling hydrogels: from polyions to peptide-based polymeric gelators

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Smart physical hydrogels are advanced materials with tunable properties.
• Self-assembly of block macromolecules is a key mechanism for hydrogel formation.
• Conventional ionic block copolymers and peptide-based polymers are leading gelator types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight recent developments in smart physical hydrogels.
• To focus on pH- and temperature-responsive ionic block copolymers and peptide-based polymers.
• To explore potential biomedical applications and bio-inspired technologies.

Main Methods:

• Review of self-assembly mechanisms in block type macromolecules.
• Analysis of rheological properties and responsiveness of hydrogelators.
• Integration of knowledge from peptide-based systems with conventional block copolymers.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of smart hydrogels through self-assembling block macromolecules.
• Identification of pH and temperature as key triggers for hydrogel responsiveness.
• Highlighting the potential of these hydrogels in biomedical applications.

Conclusions:

• Advancements in block copolymer and peptide-based hydrogelators offer new possibilities.
• Combining conventional and novel approaches opens horizons for bio-inspired technologies.
• Responsive hydrogels show significant potential for future biomedical innovations.