Hydrogel Nanocomposites: Biomedical Applications, Biocompatibility, and Toxicity Analysis

Abstract

Hydrogel nanocomposites are an important class of biomaterials that can be utilized in applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and hyperther- mia treatment. The incorporation of nanoparticles into a hydrogel matrix can pro- vide unique properties including remote actuation and can also improve properties such as mechanical strength. Since hydrogel nanocomposites have been proposed as implantable biomaterials, it is important to analyze and understand the response of the body to these novel materials. This chapter covers the background, definitions, and potential applications of hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites. It also covers the various types of hydrogel nanocomposites as defined by the nanoparticulates embedded in the systems which include clay, metallic, magnetic, and semiconduct- ing nanoparticles. The specific concerns of the biocompatibility analysis of hydrogel nanocomposites are discussed along with the specific biocompatibility results of the nanoparticulates incorporated into the hydrogel matrices as well as the biocompati- bility of the hydrogels themselves. The limited data available on the biocompati- bility of hydrogel nanocomposites is also presented. Overall, currently investigated hydrogel systems with known biocompatibility may have the potential to provide a “shielding” effect for the nanoparticulates in the hydrogel nanocomposites allowing them to be safer materials than the nanoparticulates alone.