High-strength biomass-based hydrogels: mechanisms, applications and perspectives

Biomass-based hydrogels have become an important research direction for green functional materials due to their advantages of abundant resources and good biocompatibility. Although the mechanical properties of traditional biomass hydrogels are relatively weak, limiting their wide application, in recent years, researchers have significantly enhanced their strength and toughness through molecular design, cross-linking network construction, and multi-scale structure regulation. Herein, we systematically review the structural characteristics of natural polymers such as polysaccharides, lignin and proteins as well as the strategies for constructing high-strength hydrogels. We focus on analyzing the influence of covalent and non-covalent interactions, multiple cross-linking mechanisms and network structure design on their performance. In addition, the typical applications of high-strength biomass-based hydrogels in fields such as biomedicine, environmental governance, and flexible electronics and sensors are highlighted, demonstrating their multi-functionality and practical potential. Finally, in response to the current technical challenges and bottlenecks, an idea is proposed for promoting the innovative development of the performance and functions of biomass-based hydrogels in the future through intelligent manufacturing and fine interface control. This article provides systematic references and guidance for researchers in related fields, facilitating the development of green high-performance functional materials.