Anisotropic responsive microgels with tuneable shape and interactions

Abstract

Highly monodisperse polystyrene/poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PS-PNIPMAM) core-shell composite microgels were synthesized and further nanoengineered in either ellipsoidal, faceted or bowl-shaped particles. Beside their anisotropy in shape, the microgel design enables an exquisite control of the particle conformation, size and interactions from swollen and hydrophilic to collapsed and hydrophobic using temperature as an external control variable. The post-processing procedures and the characterization of the different particles are first presented. Their potential as model systems for the investigation of the effects of anisotropic shape and interactions on the phase behavior is further demonstrated. Finally, the self-assembly of bowl-shaped composite microgel particles is discussed, where the temperature and an external AC electric field are employed to control the interactions from repulsive to attractive and from soft repulsive to dipolar, respectively.

Controllable Microfluidic Fabrication of Microstructured Materials from Nonspherical Particles to Helices

“…[14] For example, incorporation of polystyrene-based microparticles in polymeric film, followed with 1D or 2D film extension, can produce various nonspherical microparticles. [20][21][22] By confining precursor solutions in differently shaped microwells of molds, nonspherical microparticles with flexible shapes can also be produced. [23,24] With excellent manipulation of microflows, [28][29][30] microfluidic technique provides a powerful platform for fabricating nonspherical microparticles with versatile structures and compositions.…”

“…Generally, microstructured materials with nonspherical and helical shapes can be produced by methods such as film-based extension of spherical microparticles, [20][21][22] mold-based template synthesis, [23,24] microfluidic-based template synthesis, [8,[25][26][27] and polymerization induced by 3D direct laser writing. [14] For example, incorporation of polystyrene-based microparticles in polymeric film, followed with 1D or 2D film extension, can produce various nonspherical microparticles.…”

“…[13,15] With such unique motion behaviors, helical microstructured materials can be utilized for uses such as picking and placing of microcargo, [14] mixing and pumping of fluid, [16] remote sensing of pH, [17] drilling of bovine tissues, [18] and cancer hyperthermia. [19] Thus, creation of uniform microstructured materials with versatile nonspherical and helical shapes is crucial for achieving advanced functions.Generally, microstructured materials with nonspherical and helical shapes can be produced by methods such as film-based extension of spherical microparticles, [20][21][22] mold-based template synthesis, [23,24] microfluidic-based template synthesis, [8,[25][26][27] and polymerization induced by 3D direct laser writing. [14] For example, incorporation of polystyrene-based microparticles in polymeric film, followed with 1D or 2D film extension, can produce various nonspherical microparticles.…”

Templat‐freie Synthese und selektive Befüllung von Janus‐Nanocups

“…[14] Die Kavitäte rzeugt eine große Oberfläche,w as in der Vergangenheit bereits genutzt wurde,u mk ohlenstoffbasierte Schalen zu synthetisieren, die durch ihre außergewçhnlich hohe elektrochemische Leistung in Superkondensatoren Anwendungen fanden. [19] Ungeachtet der interessanten Eigenschaften gibt es bisher nur wenige Konzepte,u mN anocups zu synthetisieren;d azu zählen DNA-Origami, [20] Selbstorganisation von Blockcopolymeren, [21][22][23] polymerisationsgetriebene Deformation, [12] chemische Deformation [24] und die Nutzung von Te mplaten. [16][17][18] Das Zu-sammenspiel von Beladung und gerichteter Bewegung von Nanocups hat bereits vielversprechendes Potenzial in der Nanomedizin gezeigt.…”

“…[16][17][18] Das Zu-sammenspiel von Beladung und gerichteter Bewegung von Nanocups hat bereits vielversprechendes Potenzial in der Nanomedizin gezeigt. [19] Ungeachtet der interessanten Eigenschaften gibt es bisher nur wenige Konzepte,u mN anocups zu synthetisieren;d azu zählen DNA-Origami, [20] Selbstorganisation von Blockcopolymeren, [21][22][23] polymerisationsgetriebene Deformation, [12] chemische Deformation [24] und die Nutzung von Te mplaten. [25][26][27][28] Diese Methoden haben gemein, dass die Chemie der Innen-und Außenseite der produzierten Nanocups normalerweise identisch ist.…”