Pluronics: versatile copolymers for diverse applications

What is it about?

This article summarizes the physiochemical properites and self-assembly of Pluronics, with an insight into their functional properties for relevant applications. Pluronics, alias poloxamers, are synthetic copolymers. Commercially, Pluronics exist in numerous types, exhibiting different behavior and phase diagrams in solution. Concentrated aqueous solutions of Pluronics form gel-like systems. Properties, such as versatility, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, thermosensitivity and self-assembling behavior, make them extremely attractive for numerous applications, ranging from drug delivery and tissue engineering to bioprinting, cell cultures, personal care industry, conductive hydrogels, and electrocatalytic science.

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Photo by RephiLe water on Unsplash

Photo by RephiLe water on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This review paper provides an overview on Pluronics, with a focus on their properties and phase behaviors, and on the effect of the presence of salts and additives. Different strategies to endow Pluronics with improved and extra properties, such as their chemical modification and mixed micelles, are briefly illustrated. Furthermore, a synopsis of useful experimental methodologies for understanding the flow properties of Pluronic-based systems is presented, providing a practical guide to their experimental characterization. Eventually, significant advances of Pluronic-based materials are briefly reviewed to elucidate their role in diverse applications.

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