Rapidly Responding pH- and Temperature-Responsive Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide)-Based Microgels and Assemblies.

ABSTRACT: Rapidly responding stimuli-responsive materials can have a benefit in a myriad of applications, for example, sensing and biosensing, actuation, and in drug delivery systems. Thermo- and pH-responsive materials have been among the most widely studied, and can be triggered at physiologically relevant temperatures and pH. Here, we have used a "homologous series" of acids based on the acrylic acid (AAc) backbone and incorporated them into N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm)-based microgels. Specifically, the acids used were AAc, methacrylic acid (MAAc), ethylacrylic acid (EAAc), and butylacrylic acid (BAAc), which have pK _a's in the range of 4.25-7.4. The resultant microgels were characterized by optical microscopy, and their responsivity to temperature and pH studied by dyn

SUBMITTER: Ahiabu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6640923 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature