Recent application developments of water-soluble synthetic polymers

In the history of man-made macromolecules, water-soluble polymers have primarily maintained passive roles; examples include the uses of water-soluble polymers for viscosity control and as binders. The importance of water on earth has increased research into the development of active roles for water-soluble polymers. These expanding roles span from medical applications, such as drug delivery to environmental applications, such as the removal of heavy metals. The development of water-soluble polymers brings significant benefits to the structural engineering and production of nanomaterials and electronic materials. The current limits of the structure–property relationship have been challenged to meet these rapidly-developing application areas.