Stimuli-responsive polymers in nanotechnology: Deposition and possible effect on drug release

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive polymers result in on-demand regulation of properties and functioning of various nanoscale systems. In particular, they allow stimuli-responsive control of flow rates through membranes and nanofluidic devices with submicron channel sizes. They also allow regulation of drug release from nanoparticles and nanofibers in response to temperature or pH variation in the surrounding medium. In the present work two relevant mathematical models are introduced to address precipitation-driven deposition of surface layers of stimuli-responsive polymers and describe a possible effect of swelling-shrinkage transition of such polymers on drug release. © 2008 EDP Sciences.