Recent advancements in cellulose-based hydrogel crosslinking using high-energy ionizing radiation for biomedical...

Ionizing radiation processing offers several advantages, most notably the ability to crosslink materials without using toxic initiators or accelerators. It also enables precise modulation of hydrogel properties by adjusting the polymer composition and radiation dose. This approach facilitates the production of sterile, biocompatible cellulose-based hydrogels. Cellulose and its derivatives are commonly employed in hydrogel fabrication owing to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, chemical functionality, and renewability. This review presents a comprehensive overview of cellulose-based hydrogels, emphasizing their synthesis through high-energy ionizing radiation crosslinking techniques. It compares these methods with conventional fabrication strategies and explores the underlying mechanisms governing hydrogel formation. The physicochemical and biological properties of the resulting hydrogels are evaluated. In addition, recent progress in the development of multifunctional cellulose-based hydrogels fabricated via ionizing radiation for biomedical applications is reviewed. The review concludes with a discussion of current limitations and future directions for this emerging approach.