Chemically Responsive Hydrogels, Properties, Pharmaceuticals, and Agricultural Applications: A Review

Abstract

A review of the literature on chemically responsive hydrogels about the selection of selectivity based on classification, properties, and application is presented in this article. Chemically responsive hydrogels are a type of hydrogel that undergo changes in their properties in response to specific stimuli. These hydrogels have attracted significant attention due to their potential applications in various fields, including pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels are synthesized by covalent crosslinking of end-functionalized macromeres. Currently, a great deal of research is being conducted on hydrogel networks, also known as smart networks or hungry networks. This is owing to their potential use in fields like biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, biosensors, agriculture, oil recovery, and cosmetics. When they sense small changes in their surroundings, smart hydrogels display significant physiochemical changes. Despite this, changes such as these are reversible; therefore, the hydrogels can return to their original state after they have caused a reaction once the trigger has been removed.