University Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (9): 332-343.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202410072

• Survey of Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Hydroxyl-Rich Polycations: Innovative Materials Empowering Life and Health

Weijie Yang, Mansheng Chen, Chen Xu, Fujian Xu   

  1. Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Education), State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
  • Received:2024-10-21 Accepted:2024-12-09 Published:2025-09-16
  • Contact: Chen Xu, Fujian Xu E-mail:xuc@mail.buct.edu.cn;xufj@mail.buct.edu.cn

Abstract: Hydroxyl-rich polycations represent a class of positively charged polymeric materials characterized by abundant hydroxyl groups. These materials synergistically combine the low toxicity and excellent biocompatibility of hydroxyl moieties with the superior cellular affinity of cationic polymers. Current applications span multiple biomedical domains including gene therapy, drug delivery, antimicrobial treatments, and wound hemostasis. This review systematically summarizes existing categories of hydroxyl-rich polycations and their applications in life and health sciences, with the objective of advancing fundamental understanding and facilitating further development of these materials.

Key words: Hydroxyl-rich polycations, Gene therapy, Drug delivery, Antibacterial resistance, Hemostasis