Research Progress of Sodium Alginate-Based Hydrogels in Biomedical Engineering

Sodium alginate-based hydrogels hold significant promise in biomedical engineering due to their biocompatibility and functional versatility. This review discusses their fundamental properties, preparation methods, and recent advancements in enhancing mechanical properties and biological characteristics through composite construction, nano-reinforcement, and dynamic crosslinking. Applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing are explored, alongside challenges like mechanical strength and stability in biological environments. Future research should focus on performance optimization, intelligent design, and novel preparation techniques to transition these hydrogels from research to clinical use, offering solutions to complex medical challenges.