Table 4.
Comparative overview of crosslinking strategies in CS-SIHs.
| Method | Mechanism | Advantages | Limitations | Applications | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical | Covalent bond via bifunctional crosslinkers | Strong mechanical strength, tunable degradation | Residual toxicity (e.g., glutaraldehyde) | Bone/cartilage TE | [218] |
| Physical | Hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, or thermal interactions | Mild, injectable, no chemical reagents | Weaker mechanical properties, fast degradation | Ocular, neural, or injectable systems | [219] |
| Ionic | Electrostatic interaction with counterions | Rapid gelation, simple reagents | pH-sensitive, less durable | Nasal/ocular delivery, oral systems | [220] |
| Enzymatic | Enzyme-mediated formation of covalent bonds | Biocompatible, specific, green | Expensive, slower kinetics | In situ gels, wound healing | [221] |
| Radiation | Free radical formation by UV/gamma rays | No chemical residues, sterilization possible | Requires specialized equipment | Injectable systems with sterilization demand | [222] |