ABSTRACT
Hydrogels can exhibit dramatic changes in their swelling behaviors, network structure, permeability, or mechanical strength in response to different stimuli (such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, chemicals, and ‰elds), both internal and external to the body [1]. Chitosan-based hydrogels are “smart” or “intelligent” in the sense that they can perceive the prevailing stimuli and respond by showing changes in their physical or chemical behavior. Moreover, some systems have been developed to combine two or more stimuliresponse mechanisms into one polymer system. For example, pH-sensitive chitosan-based
CONTENTS
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................235 5.2 pH Response .......................................................................................................................236
