Integration of biopolymers in polyacrylic acid hydrogels: Innovations and applications in bioresources and bioproducts

The development of sustainable biomaterials has recently attracted great interest in the fields of flexible electronics and biosensing hydrogels. Hydrogels are a class of three-dimensional spatial network structure, and their structure and shape can exhibit reversible or noticeable responses to various stimuli, making them a popular choice for flexible electronic materials in recent years. Acrylic hydrogels, which possess a rich carboxylate network, can provide significant sensing and actuation properties to the hydrogels. They are often synthesized through the co-polymerization of their monomers and cross-linking agents, and they can be combined with naturally occurring biopolymers such as cellulose and chitosan to enhance biocompatibility. In this paper, we review the compounding methods and preparation process technologies of functionalized acrylic hydrogels and the application of polyacrylic acid (PAA) bioproducts in various fields. Finally, we review the current challenges and future directions for acrylic hydrogel prepared sensors and their applications.