)) spontaneously cross-link alginate through electrostatic interactions to form Alg-Ln hydrogels. The Alg-Sm hydrogel exhibits a shorter gelation time, a denser network, and superior mechanical strength compared to Alg-Eu and Alg-Tb hydrogels. These results are attributed to the larger volume of the Sm complex, which increases the spacing between polymer chains and promotes the formation of more electrostatic cross-linking points. Additionally, the Alg-Eu hydrogel serves as a promising luminescent sensor for copper ions. Taken together, the use of precoordinated lanthanide complexes as cross-linking agents enables tailored customization of hydrogel structures and properties.
Su et al. (2026) studied this question.