A review of stimuli-responsive polymers for smart textile applications

• Published in: Smart materials and structures Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 53001 - 1-23
• Main Authors: Hu, Jinlian, Meng, Harper, Li, Guoqiang, Ibekwe, Samuel I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.05.2012; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Appeals; Applied sciences; Color; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Hydrogels; Monitoring; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Protective clothing; Smart materials and structures; Technology of polymers; Textiles; Measurement; Wetting; Comfort; Color; Humidity; Polymer; Hydrogel; Textile industry; Monitoring; Intelligent system; Electronic textile; Production process
• ISSN: 0964-1726; 1361-665X
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/21/5/053001

Stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) are smart materials which can show noticeable changes in their properties with environmental stimulus variations. Novel functionalities can be delivered to textiles by integrating smart SRPs into them. SRPs inclusive of thermal-responsive polymers, moisture-responsive polymers, thermal-responsive hydrogels, pH-responsive hydrogels, and light-responsive polymers have been applied in textiles to improve or achieve textile smart functionalities. The functionalities include aesthetic appeal, comfort, textile soft display, smart controlled drug release, fantasy design with color changing, wound monitoring, smart wetting properties and protection against extreme variations in environmental conditions. In this review, the applications of SRPs in the textile and clothing sector are elucidated; the associated constraints in fabrication processes for textiles and their potential applications in the near future are discussed.