Volume Phase Transition of Thermoresponsive Microgels Scrutinized by Dynamic Light Scattering and Turbidity: Correlations Depend on Microgel Homogeneity
Marius Otten, Marco Hildebrandt, Ben Pfeffing, Victoria Carina Voigt, Frank Scheffold, Thomas Hellweg and Matthias Karg*,
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Thermoresponsive microgels experience a volume phase transition triggered by temperature changes, a phenomenon often analyzed using dynamic light scattering to observe overall size alterations via the diffusion coefficient. However, local structural changes are typically assessed using more intricate and expensive techniques like small-angle neutron or X-ray scattering. In our research, we investigate the volume phase transition of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM)-based microgels by employing a combination of temperature-dependent dynamic light scattering and simpler, faster, and more efficient attenuation measurements. We utilize attenuation at a fixed wavelength as a direct measure of dispersion turbidity, linking the absolute changes in hydrodynamic radius to the absolute changes in turbidity. This approach allows us to compare “classical” PNIPAM microgels from precipitation polymerization, charged copolymer microgels from precipitation copolymerization, and core–shell microgels from seeded precipitation polymerization. Our study includes a systematic analysis and comparison of 30 different microgels. By directly comparing data from dynamic light scattering and attenuation spectroscopy, we gain insights into structural heterogeneity and deviations from the established fuzzy sphere morphology. Furthermore, we demonstrate how turbidity data can be converted to swelling curves.
期刊介绍:
Langmuir is an interdisciplinary journal publishing articles in the following subject categories:
Colloids: surfactants and self-assembly, dispersions, emulsions, foams
Interfaces: adsorption, reactions, films, forces
Biological Interfaces: biocolloids, biomolecular and biomimetic materials
Materials: nano- and mesostructured materials, polymers, gels, liquid crystals
Electrochemistry: interfacial charge transfer, charge transport, electrocatalysis, electrokinetic phenomena, bioelectrochemistry
Devices and Applications: sensors, fluidics, patterning, catalysis, photonic crystals
However, when high-impact, original work is submitted that does not fit within the above categories, decisions to accept or decline such papers will be based on one criteria: What Would Irving Do?
Langmuir ranks #2 in citations out of 136 journals in the category of Physical Chemistry with 113,157 total citations. The journal received an Impact Factor of 4.384*.
This journal is also indexed in the categories of Materials Science (ranked #1) and Multidisciplinary Chemistry (ranked #5).