CHAPTER 10: Boronic Acid-Containing Hydrogels: Synthesis and Their Applications

Boronic acid-containing hydrogels are important intelligent materials. With the introduction of boronic acid functionality, these hydrogels exhibit many interesting properties, such as glucose-sensitivity, reversibility and self-healing. These materials have found important applications in many areas, especially in biomedical areas. This chapter provides an overview of the current state of the art in this area. We review the synthesis and properties of various boronic acid-containing hydrogels, including macroscopic hydrogels, microgels and layer-by-layer self-assembled films. Their applications are described, with an emphasis on the design of various glucose sensors and self-regulated insulin delivery devices. New development in this area is highlighted. Problems and new directions are discussed.