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Filipek K, Otulakowski Ł, Jelonek K, Utrata-Wesołek A. Degradable Nanogels Based on Poly[Oligo(Ethylene Glycol) Methacrylate] (POEGMA) Derivatives through Thermo-Induced Aggregation of Polymer Chain and Subsequent Chemical Crosslinking. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1163. [PMID: 38675081 PMCID: PMC11054481 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polymer nanogels-considered as nanoscale hydrogel particles-are attractive for biological and biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical flexibility. However, the aggregation or accumulation of nanoparticles in the body or the occurrence of the body's defense reactions still pose a research challenge. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of degradable nanogels using thermoresponsive, cytocompatible poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]s-based copolymers (POEGMA). The combination of POEGMA's beneficial properties (switchable affinity to water, nontoxicity, non-immunogenicity) along with the possibility of nanogel degradation constitute an important approach from a biological point of view. The copolymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates were partially modified with short segments of degradable oligo(lactic acid) (OLA) terminated with the acrylate group. Under the influence of temperature, copolymers formed self-assembled nanoparticles, so-called mesoglobules, with sizes of 140-1000 nm. The thermoresponsive behavior of the obtained copolymers and the nanostructure sizes depended on the heating rate and the presence of salts in the aqueous media. The obtained mesoglobules were stabilized by chemical crosslinking via thiol-acrylate Michael addition, leading to nanogels that degraded over time in water, as indicated by the DLS, cryo-TEM, and AFM measurements. Combining these findings with the lack of toxicity of the obtained systems towards human fibroblasts indicates their application potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alicja Utrata-Wesołek
- Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
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Akgonullu DZ, Murray BS, Connell SD, Fang Y, Linter B, Sarkar A. Synthetic and biopolymeric microgels: Review of similarities and difference in behaviour in bulk phases and at interfaces. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 320:102983. [PMID: 37690329 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.102983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses the current knowledge of interfacial and bulk interactions of biopolymeric microgels in relation to the well-established properties of synthetic microgels for applications as viscosity modifiers and Pickering stabilisers. We present a timeline showing the key milestones in designing microgels and their bulk/ interfacial performance. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microgels have remained as the protagonist in the synthetic microgel domain whilst proteins or polysaccharides have been primarily used to fabricate biopolymeric microgels. Bulk properties of microgel dispersions are dominated by the volume fraction (ϕ) of the microgel particles, but ϕ is difficult to pinpoint, as addressed by many theoretical models. By evaluating recent experimental studies over the last five years, we find an increasing focus on the analysis of microgel elasticity as a key parameter in modulating their packing at the interfaces, within the provinces of both synthetic and biopolymeric systems. Production methods and physiochemical factors shown to influence microgel swelling in the aqueous phase can have a significant impact on their bulk as well as interfacial performance. Compared to synthetic microgels, biopolymer microgels show a greater tendency for polydispersity and aggregation and do not appear to have a core-corona structure. Comprehensive studies of biopolymeric microgels are still lacking, for example, to accurately determine their inter- and intra- particle interactions, whilst a wider variety of techniques need to be applied in order to allow comparisons to real systems of practical usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Z Akgonullu
- Food Colloids and Bioprocessing Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Brent S Murray
- Food Colloids and Bioprocessing Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Simon D Connell
- Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK
| | - Yuan Fang
- PepsiCo, Valhalla, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Anwesha Sarkar
- Food Colloids and Bioprocessing Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, UK.
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Fan W, Zhu S, Nie J, Du B. Thermo-Sensitive Microgel/Poly(ether sulfone) Composited Ultrafiltration Membranes. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:5149. [PMID: 37512423 PMCID: PMC10385273 DOI: 10.3390/ma16145149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Thermo-sensitive microgels known as PMO-MGs were synthesized via surfactant free emulsion polymerization, with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA475) and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO2MA) used as the monomers and N, N-methylene-bis-acrylamide used as the crosslinker. PMO-MGs are spherical in shape and have an average diameter of 323 ± 12 nm, as determined via transmission electron microscopy. PMO-MGs/poly (ether sulfone) (PES) composited ultrafiltration membranes were then successfully prepared via the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method using a PMO-MG and PES mixed solution as the casting solution. The obtained membranes were systematically characterized via combined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle goniometer techniques. It was found that the presence of PMO-MGs significantly improved the surface hydrophilicity and antifouling performance of the obtained membranes and the PMO-MGs mainly located on the channel surface of the membranes. At 20 °C, the pure water flux increased from 217.6 L·m-2·h-1 for pure PES membrane (M00) to 369.7 L·m-2·h-1 for PMO-MGs/PES composited membrane (M20) fabricated using the casting solution with 20-weight by percentage microgels. The incorporation of PMO-MGs also gave the composited membranes a thermo-sensitive character. When the temperature increased from 20 to 45 °C, the pure water flux of M20 membrane was enhanced from 369.7 to 618.7 L·m-2·h-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Shaoxiong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jingjing Nie
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Binyang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Motor Vehicle Biofuel Technology, Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Sabadasch V, Dirksen M, Fandrich P, Cremer J, Biere N, Anselmetti D, Hellweg T. Pd Nanoparticle-Loaded Smart Microgel-Based Membranes as Reusable Catalysts. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:49181-49188. [PMID: 36256601 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c14415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this work, palladium-loaded smart membranes made by UV cross-linking of thermoresponsive microgels are prepared to obtain a reusable, catalytically active material which can, for example, be implemented in chemical reactors. The membranes are examined with respect to their coverage of a supporting mesh via atomic force microscopy measurements. Force indentation mapping was performed in the dried, collapsed state and in the swollen state in water to determine the Young modulus. Furthermore, we compare the catalytic activity of the membrane with the corresponding suspended colloidal nanoparticle microgel hybrids. For this purpose, the reduction of 4-nitrophenol is an established model reaction to quantify the catalytic activity by UV-vis spectroscopy. The membrane is embedded inside a continuous stirred tank reactor equipped for continuous monitoring of the reaction progress. Although catalysis with membranes shows lower catalytic activity than freely dispersed particles, membranes allow straightforward separation and recycling of the catalyst. The fabricated membranes in this work show no decrease in catalytic activity between several cycles, unlike free particles. The feasible and durable deposition of catalytically active inter-cross-linked microgel particles on commercial nylon meshes as supporting scaffolds, as demonstrated in this work, is promising for up-scaling of continuous industrial processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Sabadasch
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Maxim Dirksen
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Pascal Fandrich
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Julian Cremer
- Department of Physics, Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanosciences, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Niklas Biere
- Department of Physics, Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanosciences, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Dario Anselmetti
- Department of Physics, Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanosciences, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Hellweg
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
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Wilms D, Müller J, Urach A, Schröer F, Schmidt S. Specific Binding of Ligand-Functionalized Thermoresponsive Microgels: Effect of Architecture, Ligand Density, and Hydrophobicity. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3899-3908. [PMID: 35930738 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The biomolecular interaction of ligand-presenting switchable microgels is studied with respect to the polymer type, composition, and structure of the microgels. Monodisperse microgels are prepared through precipitation polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM microgels) or oligo(ethylene glycol methacrylamide)s (POEGMA microgels) in the presence of crosslinkers or in their absence (self-crosslinked). Functionalization with mannose or biotin as model ligands and affinity measurements upon heating/cooling are conducted to obtain mechanistic insights into how the microgel phase transition affects the specific interactions. In particular, we are interested in adjusting the crosslinking, swelling degree, and ligand density of mannose-functionalized microgels to reversibly catch and release mannose binding Escherichia coli by setting the temperature below or above the microgels' volume phase transition temperature (VPTT). The increased mannose density for collapsed microgels above the VPTT results in stronger E. coli binding. Detachment of E. coli by reswelling the microgels below the VPTT is achieved only for self-crosslinked microgels showing a stronger decrease in ligand density compared to microgels with dedicated crosslinkers. Owing to a reduced mannose density in the shell of POEGMA microgels, their E. coli binding was lower compared to PNIPAM microgels, as supported by ultraresolution microscopy. Importantly, an inverse temperature-controlled binding of microgels decorated with hydrophilic mannose and hydrophobic biotin ligands is observed. This indicates that hydrophobic ligands are inaccessible in the collapsed hydrophobic network above the VPTT, whereas hydrophilic mannose units are then enriched at the microgel-water interface and thus are more accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Wilms
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Janita Müller
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anselm Urach
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabian Schröer
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Schulte MF, Izak-Nau E, Braun S, Pich A, Richtering W, Göstl R. Microgels react to force: mechanical properties, syntheses, and force-activated functions. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:2939-2956. [PMID: 35319064 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00011c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Microgels are colloidal polymer networks with high molar mass and properties between rigid particles, flexible macromolecules, and micellar aggregates. Their unique stimuli-responsiveness in conjunction with their colloidal phase behavior render them useful for many applications ranging from engineering to biomedicine. In many scenarios either the microgel's mechanical properties or its interactions with mechanical force play an important role. Here, we firstly explain microgel mechanical properties and how these are measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), then we equip the reader with the synthetic background to understand how specific architectures and chemical functionalities enable these mechanical properties, and eventually we elucidate how the interaction of force with microgels can lead to the activation of latent functionality. Since the interaction of microgels with force is a multiscale and multidisciplinary subject, we introduce and interconnect the different research areas that contribute to the understanding of this emerging field in this Tutorial Review.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Friederike Schulte
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Emilia Izak-Nau
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Braun
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany. .,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrij Pich
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany. .,Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.,Maastricht University, Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Brightlands Chemelot Campus, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Robert Göstl
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
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Wang L, Liu F, Qian J, Wu Z, Xiao R. Multi-responsive PNIPAM-PEGDA hydrogel composite. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10421-10427. [PMID: 34605528 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01178b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used in applications such as soft robots and flexible sensors due to their sensitivity to environmental stimuli. It is highly demanded to develop multiple-responsive hydrogel structures. In this work, we employ the 3D printing technique to fabricate a PNIPAM-PEGDA hydrogel bilayer that can change shape through controlling the temperature, solvent mixture and magnetic field. The PNIPAM gel is a typical thermo-responsive gel, showing a decrease in swelling ratio with increasing temperature. Meanwhile, the PNIPAM gels also exhibit the cononsolvency effect in ethanol-water mixtures with a smaller swelling ratio in the mixture compared with that in each pure solvent. In comparison, the swelling ratio of PEGDA gels is insensitive to changes in both the temperature and solvent composition. Thus, the bilayer structure of PNIPAM-PEGDA can bend in different directions and with different angles with changing the temperature and solvent composition. Finally, Fe3O4 nanoparticles are incorporated into the matrix of PEGDA gels, endowing the whole structure with deformation and motion in response to an external magnetic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power & Mechatronic System, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Fengrui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power & Mechatronic System, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Jin Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power & Mechatronic System, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Ziliang Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power & Mechatronic System, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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