Functional Crosslinked Hydrogels

In this chapter, the science, technology and applications of functional hydrogels are considered. A brief discussion on fundamental network properties, such as fractal dimensions, network relaxation and stiffness, are given. A large number of synthesis approaches for the manufacture of functional hydrogels are discussed here. The key synthesis approaches which underpin a series of hydrogel variants and their applications are also discussed. An overview of the composition, structure, functionality, characterization and application of a range of functional hydrogels is offered in this chapter, as well as relevant rheological approaches in the synthesis and characterization of these materials are discussed here, paying particular attention to the gelation, sol-gel transitions and multiwave mechanical spectroscopy.