Polymer-Based Responsive Hydrogel for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Responsive hydrogels comprise huge prospective in a variety of applications. The hydrogels change their properties in particular responses. To induce response in hydrogel system, various stimuli (chemical and physical) have been applied. Electric field, temperature, light, solvent composition, pressure, magnetic fields, and sound are used as physical stimuli. The chemical stimuli used are ions and pH. Application of responsive hydrogels has many fields, such as making chemical valves and artificial muscles, immobilization of cells and enzymes, drug delivery, biosensor, and concentrating dilute solutions in bioseparation. Although the concepts are sound, practical utility necessitates major improvements in the properties of hydrogel. The most considerable limitation of these responsive hydrogels is response time and that is too slow. As a result, fast responsive hydrogels are needed. This chapter presents an overview of the advances in the area of responsive hydrogels that have become the interest of most researchers.