ABSTRACT
In response to a change in environment or a stimulus, such as light, pH, temperature, or magnetic or electric fields, stimuli-responsive SNM undergo reversible or irreversible physical or chemical modifications. Stimuli-responsive SNM have been successfully prepared from the magnetic/polymer/hydrogel/metal-doped nanoparticles and show great promise in applications in the pharmaceutical industry. We summarize the pH, thermo-, photo-, and enzymatic responsiveness of a variety of responsive nanomaterials under different categories such as physical, electrical, thermos, and biological categories. Finally, we show how stimuli-responsive SNM are enabling a wide range of pharmaceutical applications with improved efficiency, as well as improved clinical system sustainability.
