Nanogel

A nanogel is a nanoparticle composed of a hydrogel—a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer network. Nanogels are most often composed of synthetic polymers or biopolymers which are chemically or physically crosslinked. Nanogels are usually in the tens to hundreds of nanometers in diameter. Like hydrogels, the pores in nanogels can be filled with small molecules or macromolecules, and their properties, such as swelling, degradation, and chemical functionality, can be controlled. A nanogel is a nanoparticle composed of a hydrogel—a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer network. Nanogels are most often composed of synthetic polymers or biopolymers which are chemically or physically crosslinked. Nanogels are usually in the tens to hundreds of nanometers in diameter. Like hydrogels, the pores in nanogels can be filled with small molecules or macromolecules, and their properties, such as swelling, degradation, and chemical functionality, can be controlled. Potential applications of nanogels include drug delivery agents, contrast agents for medical imaging, nanoactuators, and sensors. Nanogels are not to be confused with Nanogel aerogel, a lightweight thermal insulator, or with nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels), which are nanomaterial-filled, hydrated, polymeric networks that exhibit higher elasticity and strength relative to traditionally made hydrogels.