title: Non-Covalent Microgel Particles Containing Functional Payloads: Coacervation of PEG-Based Triblocks via Microfluidics.
abstract: Well-defined microgel particles were prepared by combining coacervate-driven cross-linking of ionic triblock copolymers with the ability to control particle size and encapsulate functional cargos inherent in microfluidic devices. In this approach, the efficient assembly of PEO-based triblock copolymers with oppositely charged end-blocks allows for bioinspired cross-linking under mild conditions in dispersed aqueous droplets. This strategy enables the integration of charged cargos into the coacervate domains (e.g., the loading of anionic model compounds through electrostatic association with cationic end-blocks). Distinct release profiles can be realized by systematically varying the chemical nature of the payload and the microgel dimensions. This mild and noncovalent assembly method represents a promising new approach to tunable microgels as scaffolds for colloidal biomaterials in therapeutics and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Laboratory, University of California , Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States.
authors.forename: Cynthia X
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Haberstrasse 9a, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Utech
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Laboratory, University of California , Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gopez
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen , Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mathijs F J
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mabesoone
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Laboratory, University of California , Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hawker
authors.affiliation: Materials Research Laboratory, University of California , Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States.|Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin , Königin-Luise-Strasse 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klinger
keywords: coacervates; droplet microfluidics; microgels; physical cross-links; polyelectrolytes; triblock copolymers