Composite Microgels Created by Complexation between Polyvinyl Alcohol and Graphene Oxide in Compressed Double‐Emulsion Drops. Issue 9 (12th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, Ye Hun; Lee, Sang Seok; Lee, Dong‐Myeong; Jeong, Hyeon Su; Kim, Shin‐Hyun
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 16:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-09-12
• Subjects: double‐emulsion drops -- graphene oxide -- hydrogen bonds -- microgels -- nematic phase; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Microgels, microparticles made of hydrogels, show fast diffusion kinetics and high reconfigurability while maintaining the advantages of hydrogels, being useful for various applications. Here, presented is a new microfluidic strategy for producing polymer‐graphene oxide (GO) composite microgels without chemical cues or a temperature swing for gelation. As a main component of microgels, polymers that are able to form hydrogen bonds, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), are used. In the mixture of PVA and GO, GO is tethered by PVA through hydrogen bonding. When the mixture is rapidly concentrated in the core of double‐emulsion drops by osmotic‐pressure‐driven water pumping, PVA‐tethered GO sheets form a nematic phase with a planar alignment. In addition, the GO sheets are linked by additional hydrogen bonds, leading to a sol–gel transition. Therefore, the PVA–GO composite remains undissolved when it is directly exposed to water by oil‐shell rupture. These composite microgels can be also produced using poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(acrylic acid), instead of PVA. In addition, the microgels can be functionalized by incorporating other polymers in the presence of the hydrogel‐forming polymers. It is shown that the multicomponent microgels made from a mixture of polyacrylamide, PVA, and GO show an excellent adsorption capacity for impurities. Abstract : Composite microgels are formed by complexation between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) in shrinking double‐emulsion drops. By setting enrichment faster than diffusion, PVA‐tethered GO sheets are rapidly concentrated along droplet interfaces, leading to gelation through hydrogen bonding without any chemical cues. This microfluidic approach is highly biocompatible and applicable for various polymers, potentially serving as a useful means to produce microgels.