Hydrogel意思

"Hydrogel" is a term that combines the Greek word "hydro" meaning water, and the suffix "-gel" meaning a semisolid three-dimensional network. Hydrogels are water-swollen networks that are formed by hydrophilic polymers. These polymers can be natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. They are characterized by their ability to absorb and retain large amounts of water or aqueous solutions without dissolving, making them highly absorbent.

Hydrogels can be either cross-linked or non-cross-linked. Cross-linked hydrogels are formed from polymer chains that are linked together at multiple points, creating a network that can hold water. Non-cross-linked hydrogels are simply linear polymers that can absorb water but do not form a network.

Hydrogels are used in a variety of applications, including medical, agricultural, and industrial. In medicine, they are used as contact lenses, wound dressings, and drug delivery systems. In agriculture, they can be used as soil conditioners to retain moisture and improve plant growth. In industry, they are used as thickeners, emulsifiers, and stabilizers in food and cosmetics.