Photo-responsive polymers: synthesis and applications

Abstract

In this review, we highlight the progress realized in recent years on light-responsive polymers. More precisely, we provide some guidelines towards the rational design of photo-responsive block copolymers and we present the different photo-responsive moieties that have been used so far. We also discuss the different types of irreversible and reversible responses encountered by photo-responsive polymers. Finally, we discuss the application of light responsive polymers in material science.