TY - JOUR
T1 - Stimuli-responsive polymers
T2 - Fundamental considerations and applications
AU - Gao, Yongfeng
AU - Wei, Menglian
AU - Li, Xue
AU - Xu, Wenwen
AU - Ahiabu, Andrews
AU - Perdiz, Juliana
AU - Liu, Zining
AU - Serpe, Michael J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, The Polymer Society of Korea and Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
PY - 2017/6
Y1 - 2017/6
N2 - Stimuli-responsive polymers are capable of changing their chemical and/or physical properties in response to environmental stimuli. This unique feature has allowed stimuli-responsive polymers to be used in a variety of applications. In this review, we present a basic introduction to the theories that have been developed to describe polymer chains, brushes, and networks. We then detail numerous examples of how stimuli-responsive polymers can be used for sensing and biosensing, drug delivery, and as artificial muscles. While we focus the review on these particular areas, there are numerous other demonstrations of the applications of these fascinating materials, and we are certain that many applications have yet to be discovered. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
AB - Stimuli-responsive polymers are capable of changing their chemical and/or physical properties in response to environmental stimuli. This unique feature has allowed stimuli-responsive polymers to be used in a variety of applications. In this review, we present a basic introduction to the theories that have been developed to describe polymer chains, brushes, and networks. We then detail numerous examples of how stimuli-responsive polymers can be used for sensing and biosensing, drug delivery, and as artificial muscles. While we focus the review on these particular areas, there are numerous other demonstrations of the applications of these fascinating materials, and we are certain that many applications have yet to be discovered. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
KW - artificial muscles and actuators
KW - drug delivery
KW - sensing and biosensing
KW - stimuli-responsive polymer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020257772&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13233-017-5088-7
DO - 10.1007/s13233-017-5088-7
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85020257772
SN - 1598-5032
VL - 25
SP - 513
EP - 527
JO - Macromolecular Research
JF - Macromolecular Research
IS - 6
ER -