Crosslinking Approaches, Design Strategies, and Physical Properties of Hydrogels and Ferrogels

This chapter concentrates on the basic ideas of design mechanisms and physical properties of hydrogels and ferrogels (HG-FGs). Synthetic, natural, polymerizable synthetic monomers and blends of artificial and naturally occurring polymers can all be utilized to create HG-FGs. Physical, chemical, and hybrid bonding are involved in synthesizing HG-FGs. There are several ways for the formation of hydrogel network, including bulk polymerization, radiation, radical polymerization, solution casting, mixing, and interpenetrating polymerization. Significant characteristics of the produced HG-FGs include their swellability, mechanical characteristics, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and stimuli sensitivity, which can alter hydrogel’s structural configuration and morphology. HG-FGs exhibit potential in medical applications, including wound management, tissue engineering, contact lens fabrication, and sustained drug release, owing to their hydrophilic nature and architectural resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM). For applications in the healthcare sector, these qualities are crucial. Additionally, HG-FGs that are both flexible and self-healing are highlighted in this study as electrolytes for nanotheranostic applications. In the present decade, these materials are very effective and practical for nanotheranostics.