Applications of Stimuli‐Responsive Hydrogels in Renewable Energy: A Review

With the surging global demand for renewable energy, stimuli-responsive hydrogels have emerged asa research hotspot in this field, owing to their unique stimuli-responsive properties, high water content, and remarkable design flexibility. First, this work systematically introduces the molecular and structural design strategies of stimuli-responsive hydrogels, encompassing diverse stimulus-responsive mechanisms. Subsequently, it comprehensively reviews the application progress of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in emerging energy technologies, including sustainable solar utilization, energy storage and conversion, and intelligent energy management. Additionally, the review analyzes current challenges and explores the future development directions of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in conjunction with sustainable development needs. This review not only comprehensively presents the application potential of stimuli-responsive hydrogels in the new energy field but also provides key references for the subsequent development of high-performance hydrogels and the advancement of renewable energy technologies.