Shen K.-HLu C.-HKuo C.-YLi B.-YYI-CHEUN YEH2022-03-222022-03-2220212050750Xhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85114298575&doi=10.1039%2fd1tb00980j&partnerID=40&md5=7d94e990723ed700e7265f364fe40458https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/600406Nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels are emerging biomaterials that possess desirable and defined properties and functions for therapeutics and diagnostics. Particularly, nanoparticles (NPs) are employed as stimulus-transducers in NC hydrogels to facilitate the treatment process by providing controllable structural change and payload release under internal and external simulations. Among the various external stimuli, near-infrared (NIR) light has attracted considerable interest due to its minimal photo-damage, deep tissue penetration, low auto-fluorescence in living systems, facile on/off switch, easy remote and spatiotemporal control. In this study, we discuss four types of transducing nanomaterials used in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, including metal-based nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs), and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). This review provides an overview of the current progress in NIR-responsive NC hydrogels, focusing on their preparation, properties, applications, and future prospects. ? The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.HydrogelsMetal nanoparticlesNanocompositesExternal stimulusNanocomposite hydrogelsNanoparticle (NPs)Near infrared lightSpatiotemporal controlTissue penetrationsTreatment processUpconversion nanoparticlesInfrared devicesbiomaterialnanocompositechemistrydrug therapyhydrogelinfrared radiationmaterials testingsynthesisBiocompatible MaterialsInfrared RaysMaterials Testingreview10.1039/d1tb00980j342121712-s2.0-85114298575