Smart Polymer Gels

Abstract

Fundamental definitions, classification, and applications of smart polymer gels are the main discussions of this chapter. Smart polymer gels are polymer network structure which swell or shrink as a response to the changing in surrounding environment. Smart polymer gels are able to absorb high amount of water or biological fluid and release it when particular characteristic such as temperature, light, pH, and electric field of the surrounding medium is changed. Chemical compositions of the main materials of smart polymer gels are the main factors that determine the final properties. Smart polymer gels have an extensive range of application in medical such as drug delivery system, artificial muscle, and actuators. In addition, smart polymer gels are used in water treatment as ions and dyes adsorbents.