Next-generation stimuli-responsive polymers for a sustainable tomorrow

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) represent an emerging class of intelligent materials that can undergo controlled, often reversible, variations in their chemical structures or functions in response to single/multiple external stimuli such as pH, temperature, magnetic fields, and mechanical forces. Thus, these materials have gained significant use in various applications, including targeted drug delivery, environmental remediation, soft actuators, and adaptive devices. With the global shift toward a circular economy, the demand for smart polymeric materials that are not only functional but also sustainable has intensified. Recent research has emphasized the design of SRPs that are biodegradable, biocompatible, recyclable, and synthesized in green solvents such as ionic liquids (ILs) using renewable/bio-derived feedstocks. This feature article presents a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the evolution, properties, and sustainability-driven design strategies of next-generation SRPs. We discuss recent innovations in their synthesis and applications, particularly in 3D printing, energy dissipation, biomedical diagnostics, and environmental engineering. Additionally, this review highlights key challenges, such as scalability, durability, and environmental safety, that must be addressed to fully recognise the potential of SRPs. Through this exploration, we aim to demonstrate how SRPs are emerging not only as versatile functional materials but also as transformative enablers of sustainable technological solutions.