Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol.51, No.14, 3021-3026, 2013
Control of colloidal interactions between microgels with stimulus-responsive properties
Microgels can switch their chemical/physical properties with external stimulus, and the colloidal behavior of microgels is strongly affected by interparticle interactions. In this article, we introduce smart microgels, focusing on Janus microgels and oscillating microgels developed by our group. Janus microgels show anisotropic shape and chemical/physical properties, and thus the structures of their flocs are also anisotropic. Oscillating microgels show autonomous swelling/deswelling and dispersing/flocculating oscillations through synchronization with chemical reactions. The interparticle interactions of these microgels are discussed. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3021-3026
Keywords:crystal structures;functionalization of polymers;interparticle interactions;Janus microgels;microgels;oscillating microgels;stimuli-sensitive polymers;stimulus responsiveness