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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
Stimuli-Responsive Poly( N-Vinyllactams) with Glycidyl Side Groups: Synthesis, Characterization, and Conjugation with
Huan Peng1,2, Kristin Rübsam2, Chaolei Hu1,2
1Functional and Interactive Polymers, Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany.
Abstract:
Herein we report the synthesis of new reactive stimuli-responsive polymers by RAFT copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and three cyclic N-vinyllactam derivatives. The copolymerization process was thoroughly investigated and the influence of the steric hindrance originating from the monomer structure of cyclic N-vinyllactams on the polymerization process and the properties of obtained copolymers were studied. A series of water-soluble copolymers with variable chemical composition, controlled molecular weight and narrow dispersity ( Đ) were synthesized and their properties are systematically investigated. Experimentally determined cloud points for different copolymers in aqueous solutions indicate shift of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) to lower values with the increase of GMA content in copolymers and increase of the lactam ring size. The obtained reactive stimuli-responsive copolymers can be efficiently used for encapsulation of cellulase in water-in-oil emulsions forming biohybrid nanogels. The enzymes entrapped in nanogels demonstrated significantly improved resistance against harsh store conditions, chaotropic agents, and organic solvents.
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