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Smart Homopolymer Microgels: Influence of the Monomer Structure on the Particle Properties
Bastian Wedel1, Yvonne Hertle2, Oliver Wrede3
1Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany. bastian.wedel@tesa.com.
Abstract:
In this work, we compare the properties of smart homopolymer microgels based on N-n-propylacrylamide (NNPAM), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N-isopropylmethacrylamide (NIPMAM) synthesized under identical conditions. The particles are studied with respect to size, morphology, and swelling behavior using scanning electron and scanning force microscopy. In addition, light scattering techniques and fluorescent probes are employed to follow the swelling/de-swelling of the particles. Significant differences are found and discussed. Poly(N-n-propylacrylamide) (PNNPAM) microgels stand out due to their very sharp volume phase transition, whereas Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) particles are found to exhibit a more homogeneous network structure compared to the other two systems.
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