Issue 23, 2023

3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels

Abstract

In nature, plants and animals undergo remodeling to adapt to changes in their surroundings. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels, with their abundant water content and inherent responsiveness to environmental stimuli, serve as ideal candidates for mimicking the morphing behavior of living tissues or organisms. When combined with other materials, stimuli-responsive hydrogels extend their shape morphing abilities, along with corresponding functionalities. This review delves into the fundamentals involved in incorporating stimuli-responsive hydrogel matrices and functional additives, exploring the shape morphing mechanism and fabricating stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels. An exploration of recent advances in stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels suggests their potential applications in diverse fields, including soft robotics, information encryption/decryption, biomedical research, flexible electronics, and engineering living materials. As these innovative materials continue to develop, they hold the promise of revolutionizing daily lives and shaping the future of the biosphere.

Graphical abstract: 3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
01 aug 2023
Accepted
25 sep 2023
First published
28 sep 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Chem. Front., 2023,7, 5989-6034

3D shape morphing of stimuli-responsive composite hydrogels

X. Li, M. Li, L. Tang, D. Shi, E. Lam and J. Bae, Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 5989 DOI: 10.1039/D3QM00856H

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