Guidelines for the preparation of hydrogels with protective function

Abstract As three dimensional network structure functional materials, protective hydrogels, with their excellent biocompatibility, high water content, and the ability to provide physical barriers and regulate the environment for active substances/cells, have shown broad prospects in fields such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and food preservation. However, their protective performance is significantly constrained by factors, such as material composition, cross‐linking methods, microstructure, and external environments, such as pH, temperature, and enzymes. This guide systematically summarizes the preparation methods of such hydrogels, strategies for optimizing key parameters, structural, and performance characterization techniques as well as assessment methods for protective performance, aiming to provide experimental method references for efficient applications in various fields.