Deep eutectic solvent-assisted stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels – A review

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are a rapidly growing alternative to conventional- and ionic liquid-based solvents for the preparation of functional materials. When introduced into inorganic or polymeric matrices, their superior functional characteristics, flexibility, and biocompatibility provide the corresponding materials with fascinating properties, which have broadened their applications in many domains of material chemistry and polymer research. Significant progress has been achieved in the production of stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels using DES in recent years. Therefore, this review discusses the most recent developments on the roles of DES in enhancing the functional properties of stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels for numerous applications. The chemistry and properties of DES as well as key influence of DES on the stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels were systematically discussed. Lastly, recommendations to motivate further research using DES for the fabrication of smart hydrogels are also highlighted.