Interpenetrating Polymer Network Microgels in Water: Effect of Composition on the Structural Properties and Electrosteric Interactions. Issue 21 (4th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Micali, Norberto; Bertoldo, Monica; Buratti, Elena; Nigro, Valentina; Angelini, Roberta; Villari, Valentina
• Is Part Of: Chemphyschem. Volume 19:Issue 21(2018)
• Page Start: 2894
• Page End: 2901
• Publication Date: 2018-09-04
• Subjects: colloidal properties -- electrosteric interactions -- microgel -- NMR spectroscopy -- polymer network; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.05
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201800707
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1439-4235

Abstract

Abstract: Microgels of cross‐linked interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are very versatile systems combining the properties of colloids and polymers. Herein we study IPN microgels composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) to understand how weight composition and reactant concentrations affect their structural, conformational and electrosteric properties in water. The results show that it is possible to drive the formation of microgels with the desired properties by adjusting IPN composition and preparation method during the synthesis. During synthesis, the polymerization of acrylic acid triggers the merging among IPNs via covalent linking, giving rise to microgels with larger mass and size, the effect being larger for higher concentration of the reactants. In addition, a close relation between the microgel internal conformation and the colloidal stability is observed, due to the presence of screened groups inside the microgel. Abstract : Polymer or colloid? Both ! The relative weight composition and concentration of reactants of IPN microgels determine the close relation between the internal conformation and the colloidal stability because of the presence of screened groups in interior.