Responsive microgels and microgel assemblies in biocatalytic applications

Exploring Complex Interactions within Microgels and Microgel Assemblies

Thermal responsive microgels as recyclable carriers to immobilize active proteins with enhanced nonaqueous biocatalytic performance.

We describe the preparation of a thermoresponsive microgel, which can non-covalently immobilize active proteins with enhanced biocatalytic performance in organic solvents and easy reusability due to the porous microstructure and temperature responsive property.

Stimuli-Responsive Assemblies for Sensing Applications

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm)-based hydrogels and hydrogel particles (microgels) have been extensively studied since their discovery a number of decades ago. While their utility seems to have no limit, this feature article is focused on their development and application for sensing small molecules, macromolecules, and biomolecules. We highlight hydrogel/microgel-based photonic materials...

Doubly crosslinked microgel-colloidosomes: a versatile method for pH-responsive capsule assembly using microgels as macro-crosslinkers.

A new family of pH-responsive microgel-colloidosomes was prepared using microgel particles as the building blocks and macro-crosslinker. Our simple and versatile method used covalent inter-linking of vinyl-functionalised microgel particles adsorbed to oil droplets to form shells of doubly crosslinked microgels (DX MGs) and was demonstrated using two different microgel types.

Phase behavior of thermally responsive microgel colloids.

The phase behavior of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) nanoparticles dispersed in water is investigated using a thermodynamic perturbation theory combined with light-scattering and spectrometer measurements. It is shown how the volume transition of PNIPAM particles affects the interaction potential and determines a novel phase diagram that has not been observed in conventional colloids. Beca...