Stimuli-responsive Polymer Systems: A Review of Thermo-associative Thickening

Water-soluble polymers and thickeners continue to grow in market volume and diversity. Today there is a noticeable trend toward cosmetic applications that depend upon stimuli-responsive behavior that results in thermo-associative thickening at desired temperatures. This article reviews recent trends in thermally initiated stimuli-responsive materials and provides some insight into the physicochemical mechanisms that underpin this fascinating behavior.

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