Progress in Research on Metal Ion Crosslinking Alginate-Based Gels

Alginate is an important natural biopolymer and metal ion-induced gelation is one of its most significant functional properties. Alginate-based hydrogels crosslinked with metal ions are commonly utilized in the food, biomedical, tissue engineering, and environment fields. The process of metal ion-induced alginate gelation has been the subject of thorough research over the last few decades. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms of alginate hydrogels induced by different cations (primarily including Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, Fe2+/Fe3+, and Al3+). Metal ion-induced alginate gelation shows different preferences for α-L-guluronic acid (G), β-D-mannuronic acid (M), and GM blocks. Some metal ions can also…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 52172147
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province

  Award: ZR2022MB095