LCST (Lower Critical Solution Temperature)

The Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) is the temperature below which a mixture of certain substances, like a polymer in water, is fully combined or dissolved. When heated above this temperature, the mixture separates into distinct parts. Imagine a soap solution that’s clear when cold but clouds or separates when hot—that’s a behavior driven by LCST. It’s important in designing materials and understanding how substances behave under different temperatures, especially in applications like drug delivery, where temperature-triggered changes are useful.