Thermoresponsive polymers - From laboratory curiosity to advanced materials for medicinal applications
2008
Abstract
Thermoresponsive (thermosensitive) polymers have their lower critical solubility temperature close to body temperature. These promising and intensively studied "smart" materials for medical applications are the topic of this review.
Properties of the polymers can be tailored for a wide range of applications through a proper choice of polymer architecture and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the polymer segments. The temperature sensitivity may thus be introduced into micelles, hydrogels, depot drugs and other polymer systems.