Harnessing the polymer-particle duality of ultra-soft nanogels to stabilise smart emulsions

• DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02700c
• Publication Date: 2022-09-02T09:19:31Z
• Authors: Alexander V. Petr...; Steffen Bochenek; Walter Richtering; Andrea Scotti
• Keywords: Nanogel; Coalescence (physics); Pickering emulsion; Particle (ecology); Emulsion polymerization

Micro- and nanogels are widely used to stabilise emulsions simultaneously implement their responsiveness the external stimuli. One of factors that improves emulsion stability is nanogel softness. Here, we study how softest can be synthesised with precipitation polymerisation N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), ultra-low crosslinked (ULC) nanogels, oil-in-water emulsions. We show ULC efficiently already at low mass concentrations. These resistant droplet flocculation, stable against coalescence, easily broken upon an increase in temperature. The resistance flocculation ULC-stabilised droplets similar one stabilised by linear pNIPAM. In contrast, coalescence temperature-responsiveness closely resemble those regularly pNIPAM nanogels. reason for this combination properties thought as colloids between flexible macromolecules particles. As a polymer, stretch interface cover it uniformly. particle, protect providing steric barrier rapidly respond changes stimuli thus breaking emulsion. This polymer-particle duality exploited improve various applications, example heterogeneous catalysis or food science.