Bioinspired hydrogels thriving in harsh conditions: Where soft materials conquer hard challenges

Abstract

Hydrogels existing in biological soft tissues possess intricate architectures and exhibit extraordinary physicochemical properties, allowing certain organisms to survive and even flourish in challenging environments. Developing synthetic hydrogels to rival their biological counterparts is promising for emerging applications requiring exceptional durability. However, conventional man-made hydrogels are vulnerable to the environment, rendering them susceptible to impairment under harsh conditions. Unless subjected to careful structural engineering or unique fabrication methods, synthetic hydrogels typically display inferior properties compared to biological ones. To overcome these limitations, researchers have turned to the remarkable attributes of biological hydrogels for inspiration. Through biomimicry, artificial hydrogels with enhanced tolerance to diverse demanding conditions have been developed. This review highlights recent progress in exploring tailored hydrogels for harsh conditions. We begin by appreciating the wisdom of natural organisms in adapting to severe surroundings, and then provide an overview of biomimetic strategies for designing adaptable hydrogel. By individually discussing the way of optimizing mechanical robustness, environmental tolerance, structural dynamics, and interfacial engineering, we demonstrate that synthetic hydrogels can offer compelling solutions for specific harsh conditions. We believe this review sheds light on the design principles underlying durable hydrogels and could inspire the development of next-generation advanced soft materials.