Polymeric micelle-hydrogel composites design for biomedical applications

Designing advanced hydrogels with controlled mechanical properties, drug delivery manner and multifunctional properties will be beneficial for biomedical applications. However, the further development of hydrogel is limited due to its poor mechanical property and structural diversity. Hydrogels combined with polymeric micelles to obtain micelle-hydrogel composites have been designed for synergistic enhancement of each original properties. Incorporation polymeric micelles into hydrogel networks can not only enhance the mechanical property of hydrogel, but also expand the functionality of hydrogel. Recent advances in polymeric micelle-hydrogel composites are herein reviewed with a focus on three typical micelle incorporation methods. In this review, we will also highlight some emerging biomedical applications in developing micelle-hydrogel composite with multiple functionalities. In addition, further development and application prospects of the micelle-hydrogels composites have also been addressed.