Smart near infrared-responsive nanocomposite hydrogels for therapeutics and diagnostics

Nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels are emerging biomaterials that possess desirable and defined properties and functions for therapeutics and diagnostics. Particularly, nanoparticles (NPs) are employed as stimulus-transducers in NC hydrogels to facilitate the treatment process by providing controllable structural change and payload release under internal and external simulations. Among the various external stimuli, near-infrared (NIR) light has attracted considerable interest due to its minimal photo-damage, deep tissue penetration, low auto-fluorescence in living systems, facile on/off switch, easy remote and spatiotemporal control. In this study, we discuss four types of transducing nanomaterials used in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, including metal-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs), and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). This review provides an overview of the current progress in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, focusing on their preparation, properties, applications, and future prospects.

Automated summary

Nanocomposite hydrogels are innovative biomaterials with therapeutic and diagnostic functions, where nanoparticles act as stimulus-transducers to facilitate treatment processes. Current research focuses on transducing nanomaterials such as metal-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, polydopamine nanoparticles, and upconversion nanoparticles for NIR-responsive NC hydrogels.