Photostimulus-responsive Non-covalent Interactions in Polymers: A Review

This study reviews light-responsive polymers in various applications, including drug delivery, information storage, sensor, self-healing material, antibacterial or anti-fouling, and environmental applications. Light-responsive polymers are a new material type being developed for various medical, electronics, engineering, and environmental applications. The working principle of light-responsive materials is based on metal-ligand interactions or non-covalent interactions between polymer functional groups, metal ions, and other filler functional groups. Light irradiation causes physical and mechanical changes in drug delivery and antibacterial systems, which results in the materials releasing more drugs or antibacterial substances. When materials in information storage devices and sensors are exposed to light, they can change color or glow. This has been applied for data storage to reveal QR codes under UV light. Additionally, this review discusses the thermodynamic aspects and computer modeling of light-responsive materials to emphasize the importance and development of these materials. Finally, light-responsive polymer development for various applications is presented.