Synthesis of Polyampholyte Janus-like Microgels by Coacervation of Reactive Precursors in Precipitation Polymerization

Wenjing Xu, Andrey Rudov, Alex Oppermann, Sarah Wypysek, Michael Kather, Ricarda Schroeder, Walter Richtering, Igor I. Potemkin, Dominik Woell, Andrij Pich*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

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

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1248-1255
Number of pages8
JournalAngewandte Chemie-International Edition
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jan 2020

Keywords

  • Janus-like microgels
  • molecular modeling
  • polyampholyte
  • responsive materials
  • self-assembly
  • RESPONSIVE MICROGELS
  • CROSS-LINKER
  • FABRICATION
  • MORPHOLOGY
  • PARTICLES
  • DROPLETS

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