Cohesion Regulation of Polyphenol Cross‐Linked Hydrogel Adhesives: From Intrinsic Cross‐Link to Designs of Temporal Responsiveness

Abstract

Polyphenol hydrogels have found widespread application in wound healing, bone repair, drug delivery, and biosensors due to their robust wet adhesion, high ductility, and excellent self‐healing ability. However, these hydrogels often exhibit low intrinsic cohesion, which limits their overall adhesive strength. Enhancing cohesion is critical for improving both the adhesion and mechanical properties of the hydrogels, thereby expanding their utility in biomedical fields. This review begins by exploring strategies to enhance the cohesion of polyphenol hydrogel adhesives, detailing modifications that act individually or synergistically. The importance of temporally regulating cohesion is emphasized to accommodate various applications and environmental conditions. Finally, this paper discusses remaining challenges in cohesion regulation and outlines prospects for future research. It is hoped that this comprehensive review will provide new insights into the development of advanced polyphenolic hydrogel adhesives and contribute to the design of “smart adhesives” for increasingly complex needs in biomedical applications.