Simple Platform Method for the Synthesis of Densely Functionalized Microgels by Modification of Active Ester Latex Particles.
This study reports a simple and versatile synthesis route for the preparation of highly uniform and densely functionalized aqueous microgels by modification of latex particles composed of an active ester monomer (pentafluorophenyl acrylate; PFPA). The hydrophobic nature of the PFPA allows synthesizing very uniform latex particles via emulsion polymerization, whose size can be controlled by the surfactant concentration, while the degree of crosslinking is a function of the added crosslinker. The high reactivity of the PFPA groups toward nucleophilic substitution delivers a platform method to synthesize functional microgels by reaction with functional amines. This study demonstrates this process for the dense functionalization of the entire particle with an amine carrying a pH-responsive unit. This study further describes the influence of the crosslinking degree on the ability for swelling of the resulting microgels in aqueous dispersion.
DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Kang
K
Han
DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Rahul
R
Tiwari
DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Thomas
T
Heuser
DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
Andreas
A
Walther
D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions; D004952:Esters / Q000737:chemistry*; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005782:Gels; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008863:Microspheres; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization
D000179:Acrylates; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004655:Emulsions; D004952:Esters; D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D005782:Gels
click chemistry; colloids; microgels; responsive materials