Microgels that can reversibly switch between a collapsed and expanded state in respond to external stimuli (pH and temperature) are attractive for applications such as sensoric and drug delivery systems. These microgels can be loaded with metal nanoparticles introducing new functionalities and enlarging the field of application to catalysis, medicine and nanoreactors [1][2]. Usually, pNIPAM microgels are prepared in a batch precipitation polymerization leading to a highly crosslinked core and a less crosslinked shell of the microgel particles [3]. This inhomogeneity is caused by the variation in the reactivity of the monomer and the crosslinker. A more homogenous internal crosslinking distribution is reached in a semi-batch polymerization with a constant feed of the monomer components [4]. Here, we present the results of the kinetic and morphological studies on the microgel particles prepared by both methods. Additionally, hybrid microgels containing gold nanoparticles are prepared and characterized in terms of uptake depending on the preparation method of the microgel and their response to temperature.
[1] K. Gawlitza et al. Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys.15, 37 (2013). [2] H. Lange et al. Langmuir 28 (2012). [3] X. Wu et al. Coll. Polym. Sci.272, 467 (1994). [4] R. Acciaro et al. Langmuir 27, 7917 (2011)
maren.lehmann@campus.tu-berlin.de
