What are the Types of Stimuli Responsive Polymers?
There are several types of stimuli responsive polymers, each responding to different external triggers: 1. Thermo-responsive polymers: These change their properties with temperature variations. A well-known example is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). 2. pH-responsive polymers: These polymers alter their charge or solubility based on the pH of the environment. Poly(acrylic acid) is a common example. 3. Photo-responsive polymers: These change their structure or physical properties upon exposure to light. Azobenzene-containing polymers are widely studied for their photo-responsive nature. 4. Magneto-responsive polymers: These respond to magnetic fields, often incorporating magnetic nanoparticles within the polymer matrix.
