Recent advances in crosslinking strategies for designing self-healing hydrogels in biomedical applications: a review

Conventional hydrogels exhibit good performance in various biomedical applications. They consist of a three-dimensional network with porous structures that are constructed from synthetic or natural polymers through physical or chemical cross-linking. However, a critical challenge lies in their vulnerability to mechanical damage, as conventional hydrogels often fail to maintain structural integrity under minor trauma. In response to this issue, self-healing hydrogels can autonomously repair themselves after damage, restoring their original functionality without needing external intervention. This remarkable capability significantly extends the lifespan of critical products, including wound dressings, biosensors, drug delivery and tissue engineering scaffolds. This review summarizes the synthesis mechanisms while emphasizing the latest application research advancements. By highlighting the distinct benefits of self-healing hydrogels, we systematically review recent progress in synthesis methods. Our goal is to provide valuable insights that will help researchers in designing and developing more efficient self-healing hydrogels, paving the way for enhanced biomedical solutions.