Abstract

Functionalizing biopolymers with smart properties offers exciting opportunities for advancing various technological innovations. By integrating responsive behaviors to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, and humidity, biopolymers can be tailored to meet the demands of emerging fields, including biomedical engineering, environmental sensing, and smart packaging. This study explores the techniques and strategies used to impart smart functionalities to biopolymers, focusing on molecular design, incorporation of nanomaterials, and the use of cross-linking agents. The potential applications of smart biopolymers in areas such as controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, self-healing materials, and responsive packaging are discussed. The paper also highlights the challenges and future directions in the development of biopolymers with enhanced smart properties, particularly concerning scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.