Oligo(ethylene glycol)-sidechain microgels prepared in absence of cross-linking agent: Polymerization, characterization and variation of particle deformability.

ABSTRACT: We present a systematic study of self-cross-linked microgels formed by precipitation polymerization of oligo ethylene glycol methacrylates. The cross-linking density of these microgels and, thus, the network flexibility can be easily tuned through the modulation of the reaction temperature during polymerization. Microgels prepared in absence of any difunctional monomer, i.e. cross-linker, show enhanced deformability and particle spreading on solid surfaces as compared to microgels cross-linked with varying amounts of poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PEG-DA) in addition to self-crosslinking. Particles prepared at low reaction temperatures exhibit the highest degree of spreading due to the lightly cross-linked and flexible polymer network. Moreover, AFM force spectroscopy studies suggest th

SUBMITTER: Welsch N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5515440 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature