Drying Mechanism of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Microgel Dispersions

• DOI: 10.1021/la302465w
• Publication Date: 2012-08-23T14:06:33Z
• Authors: Koji Horigome; Daisuke Suzuki
• Keywords: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide); Precipitation polymerization

The drying mechanism of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) microgel dispersions was investigated. microgels were synthesized by temperature-programmed aqueous free radical precipitation polymerization using NIPAm, N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide), and water-soluble initiator. Drying processes the observed with a digital camera an optical microscope, resultant dried structures scanning electron microscopy. We found that presence changed behavior process water. In particular, adsorbed at air/water interface selectively within few minutes irrespective concentration. relationship between structure thin film has been clarified changing concentration dispersions.