Stimuli-Responsive Smart Polymer Microspheres: Synthesis Strategies and Biomedical Application

Abstract

Living systems modify their structure and operation in response to environmental changes to adapt to the changes in nature. Inspired by nature, scientists are working to develop materials that, like living things, can adapt their behaviour to different conditions to survive. Natural biological systems, which employ mechanisms of sensing, reacting, and learning, serve as inspiration for intelligent materials. Smart polymers, sometimes referred to as stimulus-responsive materials, are a class of materials that can reversibly change their characteristics in response to particular stimuli. The flexibility and reactivity of smart polymers confer upon them remarkable properties. They can adapt their molecular composition and function in response to environmental changes or external stimuli. These substances are similar to living systems in that they adjust to their environment. The distinctive and highly desirable features of smart polymers make them appealing for a variety of medical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent developments in smart functional polymers, with a focus on their responses to physical, chemical, and biological stimuli. Additionally, it highlights some of the most advanced medical applications of these Review Article polymers, demonstrating their potential as materials that adapt to their surroundings.