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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanomaterials
Published on: July 16, 2020
Responsive Polymers as Smart Nanomaterials Enable Diverse Applications
Jing Zhao1, Victoria E Lee2, Rui Liu1
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Advanced Civil Engineering Material, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Institute for Advanced Study, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China;
Abstract:
Responsive polymers undergo reversible or irreversible physical or chemical modifications in response to a change in environment or stimulus, e.g., temperature, pH, light, and magnetic or electric fields. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), which constitute a diverse set of morphologies, including micelles, vesicles, and core-shell geometries, have been successfully prepared from responsive polymers and have shown great promise in applications ranging from drug delivery to catalysis. In this review, we summarize pH, thermo-, photo-, and enzymatic responsiveness for a selection of polymers. We then discuss the formation of NPs made from responsive polymers. Finally, we highlight how NPs and other nanomaterials are enabling a wide range of smart applications with improved efficiency, as well as improved sustainability and recyclability of polymeric systems.
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