Strategy and Advancement in Hybrid Hydrogel and Their Applications: Recent Progress and Trends

Abstract

Advancements in polymers have made significant contribution in diverse application-oriented fields. The multidisciplinary application of polymers generates a range of strategies, which is applicable in a wide range of biomedicines. Polymeric compounds such as hydrogels have been explored globally as a potent biomaterial that can furnish essential attributes due to their three-dimensional (3D) soft and highly hydrophilic polymeric network. These hydrogels have been used extensively in various applications due to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and biosorption nature. However, they have some limitations, owing to their soft nature, low mechanical properties, and unsatisfactory degradation profile. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel, stronger, and more durable hybrid hydrogels with enhanced biocompatible and multifunctional properties. The current review gives a broad spectrum of hybrid hydrogels with its importance and significance. Further, the review highlights the strategies of generation of hybrid hydrogels reinforced with nanomaterials, biomaterials, and nanobiocomposites along with their advantages and disadvantages. The review also features various applications of these hybrid hydrogels in the field of biomedicines, photocatalysis, agriculture, and food industry over the last 5 years. This review will give a comprehensive overview to researchers working in the field of hybrid hydrogels development.