Nanofiber hydrogel composites integrate the high water content and biocompatibility of hydrogels with the high surface area-to-volume ratio,nano-scale dimensions,and ability to mimic the extracellular matrix(ECM).This convergence presents promising applications in biomedicine.Advances in biomedical engineering have spurred high expectations for the performance and functionality of composite hydrogels,notably in biomimetic materials,drug delivery,and tissue engineering.Nonetheless,traditional nanofiber membranes struggle to replicate complex three-dimensional micro-nano environments.Their small pore sizes and high densities restrict nutrient transport.Furthermore,the inadequate dispersion of continuous nanofibers hampers the materials'minimally invasive use.To address these limitations,researchers have progressively introduced controllable-length short nanofibers into hydrogel networks.These nanofibers offer superior dispersibility,enhancing their integration with hydrogels and the emulation of complex physiological conditions.To comprehensively understand the research status and performance advantages of short nanofiber composite hydrogels,and to promote their development and application,this paper reviews recent progress.It focuses on the functionalization and composite methods of short nanofibers,summarizing their applications in the biomedical field,and proposing current challenges and future directions.Functionalized short nanofibers serve crucial roles in composite hydrogels.Firstly,by encapsulating cytokines or nanoparticles,these fibers create a microenvironment within the hydrogel,enhancing cell growth.Secondly,surface modifications that immobilize therapeutic or monitoring agents on the fiber surface can prevent drug loss,thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy.Additionally,these modifications increase the contact area between the drug and its environment,improving detection sensitivity.Furthermore,by modifying precursor materials prior to electrospinning,short fibers can be functionally customized,imparting specific properties and improving compatibility with the hydrogel matrix.The application of biotechnology,such as the self-assembly of large molecules like DNA and peptides into short nanofibers,not only endows them with specific biological functionality but also enables interaction with hydrogels,enhancing their effects and further expanding the potential applications of short fibers in hydrogels.The binding mechanisms between short fibers and hydrogels are crucial.Besides simple physical blending,the interfacial interaction between the two can be strengthened through a series of interactions including covalent bonding,hydrogen bonding,biotin interaction,etc.Furthermore,methods such as heat treatment,mechanical stretching,solvent diffusion,and magnetic field control can orderly arrange short fibers in gels,forming oriented structures,which aid in mimicking the microstructure of natural oriented tissues such as muscles and nerves,promoting tissue regeneration.The enhancement and functionalization of hydrogels become a significant research focus in biomedical materials science,with the innovative incorporation of short fibers offering new pathways for improving hydrogel performance.This approach not only enhances the mechanical properties of hydrogels but also introduces new functionalities in a simple and effective manner.Short fiber-reinforced hydrogels demonstrate extensive potential applications in regulating cellular behavior,optimizing drug delivery mechanisms,and enhancing biosensing capabilities.These advancements provide a new material foundation and therapeutic strategy for regenerative medicine and precision medicine.However,current research on composite hydrogels faces several significant challenges.Firstly,the primary fabrication techniques for short nanofibers suffer from scalability issues and inconsistent fiber morphology.Innovative fabrication methods that enhance production efficiency and achieve uniform fiber dimensions are urgently needed.Secondly,the precise control of the three-dimensional distribution and orientation of short fibers within the gel matrix is critical for optimizing the performance of composite hydrogels.This necessitates a deeper understanding of interfacial interactions and the development of advanced fiber assembly strategies.Lastly,while the incorporation of short nanofibers improves the mechanical properties of composite materials,they still fall short of the high-strength requirements for applications such as bone and joint repair.Thus,advanced composite strategies that can match or exceed the mechanical properties of natural tissues are essential to ensure long-term stability and functionality in complex biomechanical environments.
nanofibersfunctionalized short nanofibershydrogeltissue engineeringdrug deliverybiosensing and diagnostics
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