Development and Applications of PVA‐SbQ Hydrogels for Advanced Biofabrication

ABSTRACT Biofabrication (also known as 3D bioprinting) is an advanced additive manufacturing process that employs computer‐controlled 3D printing devices to construct objects layer by layer. Unlike traditional 3D printing, bioprinting utilizes cells and bioinks to create organ‐like hydrogels that support the proliferation of living cells. Despite its potential, the advancement of biofabrication is constrained by the limited availability of suitable bioinks. The emergence of biofabrication technologies highlights the critical need for bioinks that are biocompatible, printable, and multifunctional. To address this challenge, this review article summarizes the authors’ recent progress in developing a novel material known as polyvinyl alcohol bearing a styrylpyridinium group (PVA‐SbQ). PVA‐SbQ demonstrates exceptional capabilities for hydrogel bioprinting using various light‐activated printing methods. Unlike conventional photopolymerization systems, the presence of conjugated double bonds in the SbQ groups enables photodimerization, eliminating the need for toxic crosslinkers or photoinitiators and thereby enhancing cell viability and proliferation. The review article begins by describing the crosslinking mechanism of this bioink and comparing its properties with those of other conventional bioinks to demonstrate its superior performance. It then presents three advanced bioprinting strategies for hydrogel fabrication, including laser direct writing, projection‐based printing, and embedded printing, highlighting their effectiveness in producing high‐resolution and functional constructs. The article further explores the integration of the hydrogel with complementary materials to achieve tailored properties and meet specific application requirements. Finally, the article also discusses the multifunctionality of PVA‐SbQ and its tunable properties, which arise from its abundant hydroxyl groups, photodimerizable structures, and incorporated nitrogen cations, highlighting its potential applications beyond biofabrication. We hope this review article will inspire a fresh perspective on bioinks for biofabrication and encourage broader engagement in exploring this promising material.