Themed collection Trends in Thermoresponsive Polymers: from Chemistry to Applications


Thermoresponsive block copolymers of increasing architecture complexity: a review on structure–property relationships
The position of the monomers within the polymer chain and the 3D structure of the polymer affect the thermoresponsive properties.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 223-247
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01097F

Thermoresponsive polymers in non-aqueous solutions
Polymers does not only show phase transition in aqueous solutions but they also do in organic solvents, which is the focus of this review article.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 6423-6474
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01147F
Pre- and post-functionalization of thermoresponsive cationic microgels with ionic liquid moieties carrying different counterions
We investigate the effect of different anions on the temperature-dependent solution properties of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels carrying alkylated ionic liquid vinylimidazolium moieties synthesized by a pre- and post-functionalization approach.
Polym. Chem., 2023, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01477G

Self-assembly and salt-induced thermoresponsive properties of amphiphilic PEG/cation random terpolymers in water
Polym. Chem., 2023, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3PY00013C
Thermoresponsive star-shaped polymer with heteroarm type with methacrylates: Preparation by living radical polymerization method and its topological effect
Polym. Chem., 2023, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01518H
A self-crosslinking nanogel scaffold for enhanced catalytic efficiency and stability
We report a facile and efficient approach to prepare multifunctional bioinspired platforms under mild conditions that offer increased catalytic efficiency and stability.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 284-294
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01272C

Thermo- and pH-responsive poly[(diethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)-co-(2-diisopropylamino ethyl methacrylate)] hyperbranched copolymers: self-assembly and drug-loading
P(DEGMA-co-DIPAEMA) hyperbranched copolymers self-assemble into large polymeric aggregates in aqueous media, when the amino groups of DIPAEMA segments are fully protonated at extreme temperatures (25 °C and 55 °C).
Polym. Chem., 2023, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01447E
Model dynamic covalent thermoresponsive amphiphilic polymer co-networks based on acylhydrazone end-linked Tetronic T904 star block copolymers
Hydrogels based on acylhydrazone end-linked Tetronic T904 four-armed amphiphilic star block copolymers show thermally-induced aqueous self-assembly and toughening, and cross-link dissociation and association traceable via simple 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 201-211
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01256A

Polymer architecture dictates thermoreversible gelation in engineered emulsions stabilised with branched copolymer surfactants
Polymer architecture allows control of thermoreversible gelation in branched copolymer-stabilised emulsions.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5730-5744
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00876A
Water-soluble copolymers and their hydrogels with pH-tunable diverse thermoresponsive behaviors enabled by hydrogen bonding
Water-soluble copolymers display both UCST and LCST thermosensitivity in aqueous solution due to pH-determined hydrogen bonding between comonomer units, and their hydrogels can be used for information recording and encryption/decryption.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5700-5706
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY01044E
Confinement of proteins by thermoresponsive dendronized polymers
Dendronized polymers exhibit the confinement of guest proteins through crowding effects, which is tunable through their thermoresponsiveness. This confinement affords the proteins enhanced thermal stability and can modulate their bioactivity.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 5404-5411
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY00957A
About this collection
This themed collection on Trends in Thermoresponsive Polymers: from Chemistry to Applications, Guest Edited by Theoni Georgiou (Imperial College London, UK), Richard Hoogenboom (Ghent University, Belgium) and Akihiko Kikuchi (Tokyo University of Science, Japan) aims to present the latest trends in the chemistry, characterisation, and applications of thermoresponsive polymers. New strategies for the synthesis of thermoresponsive polymers and their characterisation promise to enable a new era of functional thermoresponsive materials in variety fields of applications. Examples include methods to prepare synthetic polymers, hydrogels which show thermoresponsive properties, and their characterisation. These features can impact specific functions such as mechanical properties, self-assembly, or interactions with biological systems, and their applications in a variety of fields, including biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery and bioprinting.