ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the many contributions to the fast growing field of stimuli-responsive membranes with specific attention to the polymer science and the material properties. It focuses on the progress and advances of pH and temperature-responsive systems since they have been the most researched in selective filtrations and biomaterials. The chapter discusses electrical-responsive membranes as novel smart materials in order to provide the reader with the current state of knowledge. It provides a general understanding of stimuli-responsive membranes in terms of mechanism of action and preparation methods, but more detailed reviews on the topic are available for the reader. The chapter addresses description of materials, their basic features, and the responsive mechanism. It reviews fabrication methods and the latest advances with specific examples. Thermo-responsive polymers have garnered a lot of interest in the last three decades since temperature variations can be applied and controlled externally in a non-invasive manner.