Hydrogels are strengthened by mesoporous materials in biomedicine

Since the 1990s, researchers have been working to enhance the characteristics of mesoporous materials and broaden their applications; one of the current research foci is the coupling with hydrogels, macromolecular biological materials. Combining mesoporous materials is more appropriate for the continuous release of loaded pharmaceuticals than using single hydrogels due to their uniform mesoporous structure, high specific surface area, strong biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Together, they are able to target tumours, stimulate the tumour environment responsively, and utilise a variety of treatment modalities, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. Mesoporous materials can considerably increase the antibacterial efficacy of hydrogels and provide an unique photocatalytic antibacterial mode due to the photothermal conversion capacity. Mesoporous materials are utilised in bone healing systems to load and release different bioactivators to induce osteogenesis as well as to enhance the mineralization and mechanical characteristics of hydrogels. Mesoporous materials drastically increase the water absorption rate of hydrogels during hemostasis, improve the blood clot's mechanical strength, and significantly reduce bleeding duration. Mesoporous materials can be promising for improving vascular formation and cell proliferation of hydrogels in terms of wound healing and tissue regeneration. We describe the types and techniques for making mesoporous material-loaded composite hydrogels in this study and emphasise their uses in drug administration, tumour therapy, antimicrobial therapy, osteogenesis, hemostasis, and wound healing.