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Walkowiak JJ, Litzen I, Michalska-Walkowiak J, Förster B, Stouten J, Bernaerts KV, Demco DE, Pich A. Microgels with controlled network topologies by photocrosslinking-assisted continuous precipitation polymerization. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 675:614-619. [PMID: 38991275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we present a new synthesis methodology based on photo-crosslinking-assisted continuous precipitation polymerization which allows controlling the distribution of crosslinks in microgels. In our approach we substituted conventional crosslinking agent by a comonomer carrying photo-crosslinkable 4-oxocyclopent-2-en-1-yl group. Microgel size, morphology, distribution of crosslinks and packing density of the polymer chains are studied as a function of retention time (Rt) in the flow reactor. Dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS) as well as small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) proved an excellent level of control over the distribution of crosslinks in microgels during the polymerization process. These results were confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), indicating a difference in microgel stiffness and arrangement of the polymer network as resulting from increased Rt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek J Walkowiak
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Sustainable Polymer Synthesis Group, Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Inga Litzen
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Joanna Michalska-Walkowiak
- CNRS, UMR 8232 - IPCM - Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire - Polymer Chemistry Team, Sorbonne Université, 4 Pl. Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Beate Förster
- Ernst Ruska Centre (ER-C 1) Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Jules Stouten
- Sustainable Polymer Synthesis Group, Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Katrien V Bernaerts
- Sustainable Polymer Synthesis Group, Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Dan E Demco
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrij Pich
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Sustainable Polymer Synthesis Group, Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, the Netherlands.
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Walkowiak JJ, van Duijnhoven C, Boeschen P, Wolter NA, Michalska-Walkowiak J, Dulle M, Pich A. Multicompartment polymeric colloids from functional precursor Microgel: Synthesis in continuous process. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:243-254. [PMID: 36535162 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.044] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Raspberry-like poly(oligoethylene methacrylate-b-N-vinylcaprolactam)/polystyrene (POEGMA-b-PVCL/PS) patchy particles (PPs) and complex colloidal particle clusters (CCPCs) were fabricated in two-, and one-step (cascade) flow process. Surfactant-free, photo-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) precipitation polymerization (Photo-RPP) was used to develop internally cross-linked POEGMA-b-PVCL microgels with narrow size distribution. Resulting microgel particles were then used to stabilize styrene seed droplets in water, producing raspberry-like PPs. In the cascade process, different hydrophobicity between microgel and PS induced the self-assembly of the first formed raspberry particles that then polymerized continuously in a Pickering emulsion to form the CCPCs. The internal structure as well as the surface morphology of PPs and CCPCs were studied as a function of polymerization conditions such as flow rate/retention time (Rt), temperature and the amount of used cross-linker. By performing Photo-RPP in tubular flow reactor we were able to gained advantages over heat dissipation and homogeneous light distribution in relation to thermally-, and photo-initiated bulk polymerizations. Tubular reactor also enabled detailed studies over morphological evolution of formed particles as a function of flow rate/Rt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek J Walkowiak
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands.
| | - Casper van Duijnhoven
- Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Nieuw Eyckholt 300, 6419 DJ Heerlen, The Netherlands.
| | - Pia Boeschen
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands.
| | - Nadja A Wolter
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - Joanna Michalska-Walkowiak
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straβe, 52428 Jülich, Germany; CNRS, UMR 8232 - IPCM - Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire - Polymer Chemistry Team, Sorbonne Université, 4 Pl. Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Martin Dulle
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straβe, 52428 Jülich, Germany.
| | - Andrij Pich
- DWI - Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands.
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Fandrich P, Esteban Vázquez J, Haverkamp R, Hellweg T. Growth of Smart Microgels in a Flow Reactor Scrutinized by In-Line SAXS. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:1084-1092. [PMID: 36630721 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a continuous flow setup for in situ investigation of microgel growth with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is established. Poly(N-n-propylacrylamide) (PNNPAM) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels are synthesized in H2O at different residence times inside a continuous flow reactor. The microgels are investigated by in situ SAXS and ex situ photon correlation spectroscopy. The size of the microgels was found to be reproducible in independent experiments with run times of up to 7 h. Already the scattering curves of the microgels with a time of residence of 15 min show a well-defined form factor. Further analysis of the scattering profiles confirms the spherical shape of the microgels. At a residence time of 2 min, the scattering intensity is significantly lower corresponding to a smaller particle size. The experimental conditions remain constant over time, which is crucial for long-time experiments. The PNNPAM system is found to be more suitable for the flow reactor experiment with in-line SAXS as it shows less polymer deposition in the tubing and forms particles with lower polydispersity. The presented reactor is characterized by a compact design and offers a plug-and-play setup close to the sample environment. This work paves the way for investigations of microgel growth at e.g. synchrotron X-ray beamlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Fandrich
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jorge Esteban Vázquez
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - René Haverkamp
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Hellweg
- Department of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615Bielefeld, Germany
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