Polyacid microgels with adaptive hydrophobic pockets and ampholytic character: synthesis, solution properties and insights into internal nanostructure by cryogenic-TEM

Soft Matter
Rahul TiwariAndreas Walther

Abstract

Microgels with internal and reconfigurable complex nanostructure are emerging as possible adaptive particles, yet they remain challenging to design synthetically. Here, we report the synthesis of highly charged poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) microgels incorporating permanent (poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)) and switchable hydrophobic pockets (poly(N,N'-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA)) via emulsion polymerization. We demonstrate detailed tuning of the size, crosslinking density and tailored incorporation of functional comonomers into the polyacid microgels. Analysis via cryo-TEM and pyrene probe measurements reveal switchable hydrophobic pockets inside the microgels as a function of pH. The particles show a rich diversity of internal phase-segregation, that adapts to the surrounding conditions. Large amounts of hydrophobic pockets even lead to hydrophobic bridging between particles. The study shows ways towards tailored polyelectrolyte microgels with narrow dispersity, high charge density, as well as tailored and reconfigurable hydrophobic compartments and interactions.

References

Dec 19, 2002·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Karen McAllisterJoseph M DeSimone
Jun 24, 2004·Journal of the American Chemical Society·Jiguang ZhangEugenia Kumacheva
Oct 6, 2004·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·J I AmalvyY Duccini
Jan 13, 2005·Chemical Communications : Chem Comm·To NgaiHelmut Auweter
Mar 22, 2006·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Damien DupinSteven M Baxter
Apr 19, 2006·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Jinhua DaiMerlin L Bruening
Aug 21, 2007·Advances in Colloid and Interface Science·Beng H Tan, Kam C Tam
Mar 22, 2008·Journal of Colloid and Interface Science·Orawan PinprayoonBrian R Saunders
Jul 23, 2008·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Jun YinShiyong Liu
Jul 30, 2008·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Markus RetschAxel H E Müller
Feb 20, 2009·Chemical Communications : Chem Comm·Andreas Walther, Axel H E Müller
May 8, 2009·Chemical Society Reviews·L Andrew LyonAshlee St John
Jul 22, 2009·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B·Nodar Al-ManasirBo Nyström
Aug 29, 2009·Advances in Colloid and Interface Science·H NurM J Snowden
Dec 8, 2009·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Cheng ChengMartin Möller
Sep 3, 2011·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Daisuke Suzuki, Koji Horigome
Dec 6, 2011·Annual Review of Physical Chemistry·L Andrew Lyon, Alberto Fernandez-Nieves
Jun 1, 2012·Chemical Society Reviews·Pablo HervésMatthias Ballauff
Apr 6, 2013·Chemical Reviews·Andreas Walther, Axel H E Müller
Aug 30, 2014·Soft Matter·Dennis GoAlexander J C Kuehne
Oct 28, 2013·Journal of Materials Chemistry. B, Materials for Biology and Medicine·Bettina PluharBoris Mizaikoff
Oct 21, 2013·Journal of Materials Chemistry. B, Materials for Biology and Medicine·Pengcheng DuPeng Liu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 6, 2016·Nano Letters·Arjan P H GelissenDominik Wöll
Dec 20, 2020·Angewandte Chemie·Jonas HeckelAndreas Walther
Aug 29, 2020·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Andreas F ThünemannDaniel Klinger
Nov 27, 2021·Advanced Healthcare Materials·Yonca KittelLaura De Laporte

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.