title: Facile preparation of chemically cross-linked microgels by irradiation of visible light at room temperature.
abstract: We report on the facile preparation of chemically cross-linked microgels in mild conditions by using the reversed microemulsion technique. Sodium alginate has been modified by partially grafting phenol groups to the backbone, on the basis of which microgels have been prepared by the irradiation of visible light in the presence of catalyst Ru(II) complex at room temperature. The irradiation of visible light instead of UV light or gamma rays brings many advantages. The mean diameters of the microgels are 15-40 microm in aqueous solution and 5-15 microm in the dried state. Although the size of the microgel is sensitive to the environment change, it presents excellent size stability in a broad range that covers the physiological condition. The applications of this biocompatible and biodegradable microgel in biology are greatly anticipated.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials (Ministry of Education), Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
authors.forename: You
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Shuxun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004655:Emulsions; D005720:Gamma Rays; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008027:Light; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012428:Ruthenium