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Core–Shell–Shell and Hollow Double‐Shell Microgels with Advanced Temperature Responsiveness
Author(s) -
Dubbert Janine,
Nothdurft Katja,
Karg Matthias,
Richtering Walter
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201400495
Subject(s) - materials science , shell (structure) , dissolution , core (optical fiber) , lower critical solution temperature , particle (ecology) , polymer , smart polymer , swelling , inner core , poly(n isopropylacrylamide) , dynamic light scattering , chemical engineering , phase transition , phase (matter) , composite material , nanotechnology , nanoparticle , copolymer , chemistry , thermodynamics , oceanography , physics , organic chemistry , engineering , geology
Unique doubly temperature‐responsive hollow microgels are presented. These consist of two concentric thermoresponsive polymer shells made of poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly( N ‐isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM), respectively. The hollow particles are derived from silica‐PNIPAM‐PNIPMAM core‐shell–shell (CSS) particles by dissolution of the silica core. Light scattering measurements reveal the twofold volume phase transition behavior that occur in the PNIPAM and PNIPMAM regions of the CSS and the respective hollow particles. In the presence of the silica core, i.e., in case of the CSS particles, the swelling of the inner shell is tremendously restricted by the core. However, after the core is dissolved, the transition of the inner shell from the swollen to the collapsed state is highly pronounced. This versatile approach allows preparing hollow particles with individually tunable properties on the particle inside and outside for various applications as multifunctional smart materials.