Hydrogels: An overview of the history, classification, principles, applications, and kinetics

Hydrogels are polymer chain networks that can store more than 90% of water in the space between the polymer chains. They are sometimes found as colloidal gels. Natural and synthetic polymers with important qualities like biocompatibility, mechanical strength, biodegradability, and stimuli sensitivity are used to make hydrogels. Hydrogels’ unique qualities make them a good fit for a variety of applications, including biomedical, electrochemical, food packaging, and agricultural applications. The creation of hydrogels with different nanoparticles and other biomolecules has been the subject of extensive research over the past few decades. This chapter provides an insight into the history, classification, principles, application, and kinetics of hydrogels.