Issue 35, 2021

Smart near infrared-responsive nanocomposite hydrogels for therapeutics and diagnostics

Abstract

Nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels are emerging biomaterials that possess desirable and defined properties and functions for therapeutics and diagnostics. Particularly, nanoparticles (NPs) are employed as stimulus-transducers in NC hydrogels to facilitate the treatment process by providing controllable structural change and payload release under internal and external simulations. Among the various external stimuli, near-infrared (NIR) light has attracted considerable interest due to its minimal photo-damage, deep tissue penetration, low auto-fluorescence in living systems, facile on/off switch, easy remote and spatiotemporal control. In this study, we discuss four types of transducing nanomaterials used in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, including metal-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs), and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). This review provides an overview of the current progress in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, focusing on their preparation, properties, applications, and future prospects.

Graphical abstract: Smart near infrared-responsive nanocomposite hydrogels for therapeutics and diagnostics

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 Apr. 2021
Accepted
18 Jūn. 2021
First published
18 Jūn. 2021

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021,9, 7100-7116

Smart near infrared-responsive nanocomposite hydrogels for therapeutics and diagnostics

K. Shen, C. Lu, C. Kuo, B. Li and Y. Yeh, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021, 9, 7100 DOI: 10.1039/D1TB00980J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements