biostudies-literatureKuk KDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft516https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9407347biostudies-literatureUnknown8(8)Micron-sized hard core-soft shell hybrid microgels are promising model systems for studies of soft matter as they enable in-situ optical investigations and their structures/morphologies can be engineered with a great variety. Yet, protocols that yield micron-sized core-shell microgels with a tailorable shell-to-core size ratio are rarely available. In this work, we report on the one-pot synthesis protocol for micron-sized silica-poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) core-shell microgels that has excellent control over the shell-to-core ratio. Small-angle light scattering and microscopy of 2- and 3-dimensional assemblies of the synthesized microgels confirm that the produced microgels are monodisperse and suitable for optical investigation even at high packing fractions.Gels (Basel, Switzerland)Micron-Sized Silica-PNIPAM Core-Shell Microgels with Tunable Shell-To-Core Ratio.PMC9407347INST 208/749-1 FUGG; KA3880/6-1; INST 208/746-1 FUGGCroonenbrock CKuk KGregel LAbgarjan VHansch SKarg MfalseMicron-Sized Silica-PNIPAM Core-Shell Microgels with Tunable Shell-To-Core Ratio.Micron-sized hard core-soft shell hybrid microgels are promising model systems for studies of soft matter as they enable in-situ optical investigations and their structures/morphologies can be engineered with a great variety. Yet, protocols that yield micron-sized core-shell microgels with a tailorable shell-to-core size ratio are rarely available. In this work, we report on the one-pot synthesis protocol for micron-sized silica-poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) core-shell microgels that has excellent control over the shell-to-core ratio. Small-angle light scattering and microscopy of 2- and 3-dimensional assemblies of the synthesized microgels confirm that the produced microgels are monodisperse and suitable for optical investigation even at high packing fractions.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Aug2025-04-18T15:48:24.363Z2025-04-07T02:38:22.57ZS-EPMC94073473600511710.3390/gels8080516