Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems

Microgels are macromolecular networks swollen by the solvent in which they are dissolved. They are unique systems that are distinctly different from common colloids, such as, e.g., rigid nanoparticles, flexible macromolecules, micelles, or vesicles. The size of the microgel networks is in the range of several micrometers down to nanometers (then sometimes called "nanogels"). In a collapsed state, they might resemble hard colloids but they can still contain significant amounts of solvent. When swollen, they are soft and have a fuzzy surface with dangling chains. The presence of cross-links provides structural integrity, in contrast to linear and (hyper)branched polymers. Obviously, the cross-linker content will…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Award: SFB 985