Stimuli-Responsive Polymers: Design and Applications

Abstract

Modern synthetic polymer chemistry has revolutionized the world of polymer materials. Among macromolecular systems of various chemical and architectural profi les, polymers exhibiting the property of responsiveness to external signals have emerged as some of the most promising kind of materials in advanced materials science and owe versatile applications in biology and technology. The internal structural designs of these materials enable them to undergo a large and measurable transition in their physicochemical characteristics upon producing a minor change in the external environment including experimental conditions. The present entry reviews the state-of-the art of the design and applications of various biocompatible stimuliresponsive polymers and describes their structure‐property relationships. The entry provides an account of different aspects of stimuli-responsive macromolecular systems that include types of systems responsive to various stimuli such as pH, temperature, electric and magnetic fi elds, different biomolecules, etc. The review entry also presents insight into synthetic strategies of these polymer systems, their biocompatibility aspects, and major biological and technological applications. A brief mention of various challenges ahead and future scope of this fi eld has also been made. This entry has been revised from “Responsive Polymers in Biology and Technology” in the journal Polymer Reviews, Vol. 51, Issue 1.