Applications of stimuli-responsive functional colloids

Colloidal dispersions of particles have an exceptionally long history across a wide range of formulated products. More recently, the use of environmentally-responsive polymers as a key component of the colloidal particles used in various formulations, whether in the core, on the surface or both, has opened up an additional range of novel applications that we review here. We initially briefly introduce the different types of particles and give examples of the range of responsive polymers used for their preparation. Promptly, we focus our attention on describing a broad range of applications for these systems ranging from oil recovery, emulsifiers and sensors to drug delivery.