Stimuli-sensitive polymers polymeric systems

Stimuli-sensitive or smart polymeric systems are defined as the polymers that might rise above dramatic property changes replying to minute changes in the environment [50]. The effect of different stimuli on environmental sensitive polymers (Figure 9.35) has been widely studied, and among these temperature is the most investigated stimulus since it is directly related to the human body [51]. 

A sensor is a system that displays a readily detectable response in the presence of a specific analyte. Indeed, stimulus-responsive vesicles have been tailor-made to function as highly specific sensors. The overwhelming majority of vesicle-based sensors are based on a very simple type of amphiphile polydiacetylenes. These polymeric amphiphiles are easily formed from simple diacelylene amphiphiles by in situ photopolymerization of vesicles. If the vesicles are additionally equipped with ligand or receptor groups, the absorbance and fluorescence of the conjugated polymer backbone is highly sensitive to the presence of metal ions, anions, and small as well as large... 

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