Research Progress of Sodium Alginate-Based Hydrogels in Biomedical Engineering

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Sodium alginate is a natural polymer with excellent biocompatibility and functionalization potential.
• Sodium alginate-based hydrogels are increasingly explored for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the properties and preparation of sodium alginate hydrogels.
• To analyze advancements in optimizing hydrogel characteristics and applications.
• To identify challenges and propose future research directions for clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of fundamental properties and preparation methods of sodium alginate hydrogels.
• Analysis of optimization strategies including composite construction, nano-reinforcement, and dynamic crosslinking.
• Summary of applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing.

Main Results:

• Advancements in mechanical properties, functionalization, and biological characteristics of sodium alginate hydrogels have been achieved.
• Key applications include drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing.
• Challenges remain in mechanical strength, degradation control, and stability in biological environments.

Conclusions:

• Sodium alginate hydrogels offer significant potential for biomedical applications.
• Overcoming current challenges requires performance optimization, intelligent design, and novel preparation techniques.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for transitioning these hydrogels to clinical practice.