Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers

Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers brings together the very latest advanced research into natural polymer-based hydrogels, covering fundamentals, preparation methods, synthetic pathways, advanced properties, major application areas, and novel characterization techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of each natural polymer-based hydrogel are also discussed, enabling the reader to develop and prepare polymeric hydrogels for specific properties and applications, and utilizing renewable, biodegradable and biocompatible materials.

The book begins by introducing the fundamentals of natural polymers and their hydrogels, explaining the development of hydrogels, and typical characteristics of the sources, structures and properties of these materials. Presentation methods are then discussed, organized by physical interaction, chemical reaction and crosslinking, and radiation crosslinking. The third section of the book focuses on properties of hydrogels based on natural polymers, including physical and chemical properties, stimuli-responsive properties, self-healing properties, and biological properties. The final section presents the major applications areas for these innovative materials, covering the biomedical field (wound dressing, drug delivery, tissue engineering), agriculture, water treatments, and the food industry, before assessing the available characterization tools and techniques.

This is a highly valuable resource for academic researchers, scientists and advanced students, working with hydrogels and natural polymers, as well as across the fields of polymer science, polymer chemistry, plastics engineering, biopolymers, and biomaterials. The detailed information is also of great interest to scientists and R&D professionals leading industrial research on these materials, alongside product designers, technicians and engineers across industries, looking to develop and utilize natural polymer-based hydrogels.

• Provides systematic coverage of all aspects of hydrogels based on natural polymers, including fundamentals, preparation methods, properties and characterization
• Offers a balanced assessment of the specific properties and possibilities offered by different natural polymer-based hydrogels, drawing on innovative research
• Examines cutting-edge applications across biomedicine, agriculture, water treatments, and the food industry