Hydrogels

Question 1

What are the 2 general classes of hydrogels?

Answer 1

1) physically cross-linked
reversible cross-links formed by molecular entanglements or secondary forces(ionic bond or H-bond)
2) covalently cross-linked
irrreversible cross-links formed by covalent bonds between polymer chains

Question 2

Define hydrogel

Answer 2

Insoluble network of polymer chains that swell in water-based solutions