Functionally Responsive Polymeric Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Functionally responsive polymeric materials are smart materials, which can react to an external stimulus so as to provide different functions for sensors, transducers, actuators, artificial muscle, and biomedical devices. Dielectric elastomers can convert the electric energy into mechanical deformation under electric field, while the piezoelectric polymers can generate electric charge in response to the mechanical loading. More examples include polyelectrolyte gels swell differently when pH or salt concentration in the external solution changes and the programmed shape-memory polymers can recover to their original shape when exposed to heat or solvent.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive collection of the latest development of functionally responsive polymeric materials. The Special Issue covers the synthesis, characterization, theoretical modelling and application of various responsive polymers with special functions. The topics may include the electro-active polymers, magneto-sensitive polymers, and piezoelectric polymers, which show responsive under mechanical, electric and magnetic field. The Special Issue may also address the temperature and chemical-responsive shape-memory polymers, smart gels and liquid crystal elastomers. Both review and regular original papers are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jin-lian Hu
Prof. Dr. Rui Xiao
Prof. Chih-Feng Huang
Guest Editors

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