Smart Polymers and Their Applications

Smart Polymers and Their Applications, Second Edition presents an up-to-date resource of information on the synthesis and properties of different types of smart polymers, including temperature, pH, electro, magnetic and photo-responsive polymers, amongst others. It is an ideal introduction to this field, as well as a review of the latest research in this area. Shape memory polymers, smart polymer hydrogels, and self-healing polymer systems are also explored. In addition, a very strong focus on applications of smart polymers is included for tissue engineering, smart polymer nanocarriers for drug delivery, and the use of smart polymers in medical devices.

Additionally, the book covers the use of smart polymers for textile applications, packaging, energy storage, optical data storage, environmental protection, and more. This book is an ideal, technical resource for chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, mechanical engineers and other professionals in a range of industries.

Includes a significant number of new chapters on smart polymer materials development, as well as new applications development in energy storage, sensors and devices, and environmental protectionProvides a multidisciplinary approach to the development of responsive polymers, approaching the subject by the different types of polymer (e.g. temperature-responsive) and its range of applications

1. Introduction to smart polymers and their applications 2. Temperature-responsive polymers: properties, synthesis, and applications 3. pH-responsive polymers: properties, synthesis, and applications 4. Photo-responsive polymers: properties, synthesis, and applications 5. Magnetically responsive polymer gels and elastomers: properties, synthesis, and applications 6. Metabolite and enzyme-responsive polymers: properties, synthesis, and applications 7. Conductive and electroactive responsive polymers and their applications 8. Inflammation-responsive polymers 9. Dual and multi-stimuli responsive polymers and their applications 10. Smart polymer gels: properties, synthesis, and applications 11. Stimuli-responsive protein fibres for advanced applications 12. Shape memory polymers: properties, synthesis, and applications 13. Self-healing polymer systems: properties, synthesis, and applications 14. Smart instructive polymer substrates for tissue engineering 15. Smart polymer nanocarriers for drug delivery 16. The use of smart polymers in medical devices for minimally invasive surgery, diagnosis and other applications 17. Smart polymers for bioseparation and other biotechnology applications 18. Smart polymers for textile applications 19. Polymers for food packaging applications: From design to processing 20. Smart polymers for optical data storage 21. Smart polymers for environmental protection applications including waste water treatment 22. Smart polymers for highly-sensitive sensors and devices: Micro and nanofabrication alternatives 23. Smart polymers for energy storage