Engineering the future with hydrogels: advancements in energy storage devices and biomedical technologies

Abstract

Hydrogels, polymer networks with versatile applications in both energy-related devices and biomedicine, fall into three categories: natural, synthetic, and hybrid hydrogels. Natural variants like alginate and collagen boast biocompatibility, while synthetic counterparts, such as polyacrylamide, offer customizable properties. Hybrid hydrogels seamlessly combine the strengths of both. With their distinctive features, including high water content, flexibility, and porosity, hydrogels prove well-suited for applications in energy storage devices and biomedicine. In the energy sector, hydrogels serve as electrolytes, separators, and electrodes, enhancing battery performance and enabling the functionality of supercapacitors and fuel cells. This review initiates by exploring the pivotal role of hydrogels as energy storage devices, particularly in batteries and supercapacitors. It delves into the design principles and fabrication techniques utilized to augment the electrochemical performance, durability, and safety of hydrogel-based energy storage systems. The examination extends to various hydrogel types, such as PAMPS, PAA, and PEO hydrogels, assessing their suitability for high-performance batteries and flexible supercapacitors. Additionally, this review scrutinizes the burgeoning biomedical technologies where hydrogels play a crucial role, emphasizing their contributions to tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, biosensors, and wound healing. The unique attributes of hydrogels, including biocompatibility, adaptable mechanical properties, and controlled release capabilities, position them favorably for diverse biomedical applications. The discussion highlights notable hydrogel systems, such as alginate-based, PEGDA, and PVA hydrogels, in the context of these advancements in biomedicine.