Synthesis and functionalization of hydrogel through “click-chemistry”

Hydrogels are polymer cross-linked networks with ability to retain large amount water yet remain insoluble. With this special property, quite a lot of studies have been done on biomedical and tissue-engineering applications of hydrogel. In recent years, hydrogel synthesized through “Click-Chemistry” method has developed in large range. Because the “Click-Chemistry” reactions could happen in relatively mild environment (temperature and PH similar to organism’s internal environment) with highly selectivity and controllable gelation-time. Meanwhile, “Click- Chemistry” also allows further functionalization of hydrogels which greatly enlarges the applications of hydrogels. In this chapter, we will cover some of the popular synthesis methods of hydrogels through “Click-Chemistry” in recent years. The properties of different hydrogels will be analyzed, including physical and chemical properties, the degradation of “click” hydrogels. Further functionalization and potential application of them on biomedical engineering will also be introduced to give the readers a general idea of the current biomedical research interest in this specialization.