We investigate the influence of a solid core and cross-link density on compression microgel particles at oil-water interfaces by means isotherms computer simulations. with different morphology, namely core-shell containing silica surrounded cross-linked polymer shell poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), corresponding hollow microgels where was dissolved. The contains amounts cross-linker. show that removal leads to an increase surface pressure low compression, same effect can be observed when is...

We report on hollow shell-shell nanogels with two polymer shells that have different volume phase transition temperatures. By means of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) employing contrast variation and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations we show nanocontainers are ideal systems for controlled drug delivery: The temperature responsive swelling the inner shell controls uptake release, while thermoresponsive outer size void colloidal stability. At temperatures between 32 °C < T 42 °C,...

In this work, different systems of colloidally stable, ampholytic microgels (μGs) based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), wherein the anionic cationic groups are randomly distributed, were investigated. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy electron microscopy confirmed quantitative incorporation random distribution ionizable in μGs, respectively. The control hydrodynamic radii mechanical properties polyampholyte μGs at pH values was studied with dynamic light...

This work concerns interfacial adsorption and attachment of swollen microgel with low- to medium-level cross-linking density. Compared colloids that form a second, dispersed phase, the suspended particles are ultrahigh molecular weight molecules, which dissolved like linear polymer, so solvent solute constitute only one phase. In contrast recent literature in microgels treated as distinct surface, we consider solvent–solute interaction well based on chain segments can trains adsorbed loops...

We report on the swelling of a polymeric network in doubly thermoresponsive microgels. Silica-core double-shell and hollow microgels made an inner poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) outer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) shell are studied by exploiting distinct temperature sensitivities polymers. The states two shells can be tuned changes enabling three different states: above, below, between volume phase transition temperatures This enables to investigate effect constraints network. Small-angle...

To realize carriers for drug delivery, cationic containers are required anionic guests. Nevertheless, the toxicity of limits their practical use. In this study, we investigate a model system polyampholyte N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)-based microgels with core and an shell to study whether presence negative allows be shielded while still enabling uptake release guest polyelectrolytes. These loaded polystyrene sulfonate different molecular weights influence chain length on process. By means...

We report on the behavior of two immiscible liquids within polymer microgel adsorbed at their interface. By means dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations and theoretical analysis in framework Flory-Huggins (FH) lattice theory, we demonstrate that acts as a "compatibilizer" these liquids: miscibility increases considerably. If incompatibility is moderate, although strong enough to induce phase separation 1:1 composition, they form homogeneous mixture interior. The highly incompatible...

Chitosan macromolecules with different molecular weights and degrees of acetylation were dissolved in carbonic acid solutions saturated carbon dioxide at high pressure adsorbed from such onto model mica substrate. Their conformation on the substrate was revealed by means atomic force microscopy. The results observations indicate that there are nanosized stable aggregates peculiar, regular, reproducible geometry, which formed solutions. appear as rather persistent rod-like structures consist...

We study how a cavity changes the response of hollow microgels with respect to regular ones in overcrowded environments. The structural poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) embedded within matrix are probed by small-angle neutron scattering contrast variation. form factors at increasing compressions directly measured. decrease size concentration shows that have an alternative way cross-linked respond squeezing due their neighbors. under compression supported radial density profiles obtained computer...

Solid–liquid interfaces play an important role for functional devices. Hence, a detailed understanding of the interaction soft matter objects with solid supports and often concomitant structural deformations is great importance. We address this topic in combined experimental simulation approach. investigated thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) microgels (μGs) at different surfaces aqueous environment. As super-resolution fluorescence imaging method, three-dimensional direct...

A striking discovery in our work is that the distribution of ionizable groups polyampholyte microgels (random and core–shell) controls interactions with captured proteins. Polyampholyte are capable to switch reversibly their charges from positive negative depending on pH. In this work, we synthesized differently structured controlled amounts different acidic basic moieties as colloidal carriers study loading release model protein cytochrome c (cyt-c). were first loaded cyt-c using...

Amphiphilic arborescent block copolymers of two generations (G2 and G3) polymer microgels, obtained via cross-linking diblock copolymers, were studied in a selective solvent at liquid interface dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. Depending on the primary structure, single macromolecules can have both core–corona multicore structures. Self-assembly G2, G3, microgels is compared with equivalent linear copolymers. The latter self-assemble into spherical micelles large enough...

In this editorial, we report a new concept using responsive nanocontainers for drug delivery, namely employing hollow nanogels with two polymer shells that have different volume phase transition temperatures.

The deformation of microgels deposited onto different substrates applying the three most common methods (spin-coating, drop-casting, and adsorption) was investigated by super-resolution fluorescence microscopy molecular dynamics simulations.

Using dissipative particle dynamics simulations, we study the swelling of lamellae-forming diblock copolymer films in a nonselective solvent. Both parallel and perpendicular orientations lamellae film are studied. The with is accompanied by an increase their number. In doing so, lamellar thickness reveals nonmonotonous behavior: affine growth (low degree solvent uptake) succeeded decrease (high uptake). Whereas first regime reflects finite size (film thickness) effect, more common which also...

Structurally homogeneous polyelectrolyte microgels in dilute aqueous solutions are shown to exhibit inhomogeneous density profile including intraparticle "phase" coexistence of hollow core and dense "skin." This effect is a consequence long-range Coulomb repulsion charged groups which appear because entropy-driven escape monovalent counterions into the outer solvent. Excess at periphery microgel particle reduces electrostatic energy overall free system despite penalty elastic strongly...

Controlling the distribution of ionizable groups opposite charge in microgels is an extremely challenging task, which could open new pathways to design a generation stimuli-responsive colloids. Herein, we report straightforward approach for synthesis polyampholyte Janus-like microgels, where are located on different sides colloidal network. This based controlled self-assembly growing polyelectrolyte microgel precursors during precipitation polymerization process. We confirmed morphology and...

Microgels, cross-linked polymers with submicrometer size, are ideal soft model systems. While spherical microgels have been studied extensively, anisotropic hardly investigated. In this study, we compare the interfacial deformation and assembly of core-shell hollow microgels. The microgel consists an elliptical core hematite covered a thin silica layer shell made poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). were obtained after two-step etching procedure inorganic core. behavior these at oil-water interface...

Surface-active polymers have important applications as effective and responsive emulsifiers, foaming agents, coatings. In this contribution, we explore the impact of polymer architecture on behavior at oil-water interfaces by comparing different poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM)-based systems, namely, monolayers linear star-shaped macromolecules, ultralow cross-linked, regular hollow microgels. Compression isotherms were determined experimentally well computer simulations. The latter...

Anisotropic, submicrometer-sized particles are versatile systems providing interesting features in creating ordering two-dimensional systems. Combining hard ellipsoids with a soft shell further enhances the opportunities to trigger and control order alignment. In this work, we report rich 2D phase behavior show how softness affects of anisotropic at fluid oil-water interfaces. Three different core-shell were synthesized such that they have same elliptical hematite-silica core but differ...

Abstract Thin films made of deformable micro‐ and nano‐units, such as biological membranes, polymer interfaces, particle‐laden liquid surfaces, exhibit a complex behavior during drying, with consequences for various applications like wound healing, coating technologies, additive manufacturing. Studying the drying dynamics structural changes soft colloidal thus holds potential to yield valuable insights achieve improvements applications. In this study, interfacial monolayers core‐shell (CS)...

We have predicted using computer simulations and detected with SAXS measurements that pH-sensitive core–shell polyampholyte microgels can form a dense layer ("skin") at the interface. The cationic core neutral shell low pH, whereas becomes anionic high pH. are oppositely charged intermediate pH values. formation is result of electrostatic complexation between subchains. studied different ratios fractions ionizable groups analyzed radial distribution polymer volume fraction groups....

We compare the swelling behavior of a compositionally symmetric diblock copolymer in films with nonbulk micellar morphology and vertically oriented lamellae. The morphologies preformed by spin-coating from selective/nonselective solvents differ shape total area AB interfaces between incompatible units. Experimental measurements dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations demonstrate that dominate as diffusion pathways nonselective solvent molecules strongly segregated films. In...

Dense planar brushes of diblock copolymers physically attached to the substrate by end groups are studied dissipative particle dynamics simulation technique. We predict stability spatially ordered perpendicularly oriented domains which separated from and free surface film homogeneous layers different type. Depending on composition copolymer, various structures including hexagonally "golf holes", parallel "gullies" "ridges", "stalactites" with symmetry hexagonal lattice can be stable. analyze...