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Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
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pH-Responsive Aqueous Bubbles Stabilized With Polymer Particles Carrying Poly(4-vinylpyridine) Colloidal Stabilizer
Masaya Ito1, Koki Takano2, Haruka Hanochi1
1Graduate Course in Applied Chemistry, Environmental and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka, Japan.
Frontiers in Chemistry
|August 2, 2018
Summary
pH-responsive poly(4-vinylpyridine)-polystyrene (P4VP-PS) particles stabilize aqueous bubbles. These particles can be repeatedly switched between stabilizing and destabilizing bubbles by adjusting pH, demonstrating tunable colloidal stabilization.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Colloidal particles can stabilize interfaces, but stimuli-responsive systems offer dynamic control.
- pH-responsive polymers enable tunable interactions with aqueous environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize pH-responsive poly(4-vinylpyridine)-polystyrene (P4VP-PS) particles.
- To investigate the ability of these particles to stabilize aqueous bubbles in a pH-dependent manner.
Main Methods:
- Free radical dispersion polymerization for P4VP-PS synthesis.
- Characterization using microscopy, spectroscopy, and particle size analysis.
- Bubble formation and stability tests at varying pH levels.
Main Results:
- Near-monodispersed, micrometer-sized P4VP-PS particles were successfully synthesized.
- Particles stabilized bubbles at pH ≥ 4.0 due to partial P4VP protonation and hydrophobicity.
- Bubble destabilization occurred at pH ≤ 3.0 as P4VP became water-soluble, leading to particle desorption.
Conclusions:
- P4VP-PS particles act as effective pH-responsive stabilizers for aqueous bubbles.
- Tunable bubble stabilization and destabilization were achieved by cycling pH.
- The P4VP stabilizer's pH-dependent solubility drives the reversible interfacial adsorption and bubble stability.
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