Functional Hydrogels: A Promising Platform for Biomedical and Environmental Applications

Functional hydrogels are a growing class of soft materials. Functional hydrogels are characterized by their three-dimensional (3D) polymeric network and high water-retention capacity. Functional hydrogels are deliberately engineered with specific chemical groups, stimuli-responsive motifs, or crosslinking strategies that impart targeted biomedical or environmental roles (e.g., drug delivery, pollutant removal). Their capacity to imitate the extracellular matrix, and their biocompatibility and customizable physicochemical properties make them highly suitable for biomedical and environmental applications. In contrast, non-functional hydrogels are defined as passive polymer networks that primarily serve as water-swollen matrices without such application-oriented modifications. Recent progress includes stimuli-responsive hydrogel designs. Stimuli such as pH, temperature, enzymes, light, etc., enable controlled drug delivery and targeted therapy. Moreover, hydrogels have shown great potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The flexibility and biofunctionality of hydrogels improve cell adhesion and tissue integration. Functional hydrogels are being explored for water purification by heavy metal ion removal and pollutant detection. The surface functionalities of hydrogels have shown selective binding and adsorption, along with porous structures that make them effective for environmental remediation. However, hydrogels have long been postulated as potential candidates to be used in clinical advancements. The first reported clinical trial was in the 1980s; however, their exploration in the last two decades has still struggled to achieve positive results. In this review, we discuss the rational hydrogel designs, synthesis techniques, application-specific performance, and the hydrogel-based materials being used in ongoing clinical trials (FDA-approved) and their mechanism of action. We also elaborate on the key challenges remaining, such as biocompatibility, mechanical stability, scalability, and future directions, to unlocking their multifunctionality and responsiveness.