title: Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse thermosensitive dumbbell-shaped microgels.
abstract: Monodisperse thermosensitive dumbbell-shaped core-shell microgels are fabricated, which consist of a polystyrene core with a cross-linked poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) shell. The morphology of the microgels was investigated through cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and depolarized dynamic light scattering. The effective volume fraction and aspect ratio of the system could be adjusted through the swelling of the thermosensitive shell. We observe a phase transition of the microgels to an ordered, crystal-like state, which is apparent through Bragg-reflections in the visible range. These observations are further supported by rheological measurements where the shear-melting of the crystal phase is clearly detected.
authors.affiliation: Soft Matter and Functional Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, 14109 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siebenbürger
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Polzer
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stolze
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heptner
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dzubiella
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drechsler
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ballauff
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D044367:Phase Transition; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D005782:Gels; D011137:Polystyrenes; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide