Structure-Property Relationships in Cellulose-Based Hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogels are widely used for different biomedical applications, due to their ability to absorb, retain, and release water solutions in a reversible manner and in response to specific environmental stimuli. The review is focused on the preparation methods, main characteristics, as well as biomedical applications of hydrogels prepared from the most abundant biopolymers on earth, cellulose. The chapter emphasizes the latest developments in the design and manufacture of cellulose-based hydrogels. The preparation of hydrogels without covalent cross-links (physical hydrogels) and with covalent cross-links (chemical hydrogels) is discussed. The behavior of gels upon coagulation and the swelling capacity in water were analyzed. A systematic investigation into the structure and physical-chemical properties of cellulose-based hydrogels was performed in order to describe the relationships between the network structure and gel properties. The degree of cross-linking of the hydrogels, the morphology of the three-dimensional (3D) matrices, the bulk geometry, and the description by different complementary techniques which offered insight into structure-property relationships of hydrogels are reviewed. The sorption properties of cellulose-based hydrogels and the effect of the design parameters of hydrogels on their biomedical applications are also discussed.