Thermoresponsive block copolymers of increasing architecture complexity: a review on structure–property relationships

Abstract

Thermogels are an exciting class of stimuli responsive materials with many promising applications ranging from the medical field to additive manufacturing. This review focuses on the structure–property relationship of thermoresponsive block copolymers, with emphasis on the effect of architecture. Polymers based on Pluronic®, N-isopropylacrylamide, oligo(ethylene glycol) (meth)acrylate units, and 2-oxazoline units, which are amongst the most studied thermoresponsive units, are discussed. The effect of the polymer's architecture is crucial for controlling the thermoresponsive properties, such as cloud point and gelation temperature.