pH- and Photoresponsive Liquid Plasticine
Ema Onodera1, Sari Usuda1, Hodaka Hara1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2280, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 20, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed transparent liquid plasticines (LPs) for microscale applications. These pH-responsive LPs disintegrate in acidic conditions or upon light exposure, enabling controlled reactions and sample handling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Liquid marbles (LMs) are used as microreaction vessels but are opaque.
- Transparent liquid plasticines (LPs) offer improved internal observation capabilities.
- Existing LPs lack pH-responsiveness for controlled disintegration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop transparent, pH-responsive liquid plasticines (LPs).
- To enable controlled disintegration of LPs via pH change or light exposure.
- To explore LPs as advanced microscale reactors and culture vessels.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized hydrophobic silica particles (SD0) and PDPA-grafted silica particles (SD1).
- Prepared pH-responsive LPs by mixing SD1 and SD0 particles.
- Investigated LP disintegration triggered by HCl gas and photoacid generators (PAGs).
Main Results:
- Mixed SD1/SD0 particles (3/7 ratio) formed transparent, pH-responsive LPs.
- LPs disintegrated upon exposure to HCl gas.
- LPs prepared with a photoacid generator disintegrated upon light irradiation.
- The transparency of LPs allows for internal observation, unlike traditional LMs.
Conclusions:
- Successfully prepared pH-responsive liquid plasticines with controlled disintegration properties.
- Demonstrated the potential of these transparent LPs for microscale applications.
- Highlighted the utility of LPs as adaptable microreactors and culture vessels.
