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Vialetto J, Ramakrishna SN, Stock S, von Klitzing R, Isa L. Modulating the conformation of microgels by complexation with inorganic nanoparticles. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 672:797-804. [PMID: 38870770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.163] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS The complexation of microgels with rigid nanoparticles is an effective way to impart novel properties and functions to the resulting hybrid particles for applications such as in optics, catalysis, or for the stabilization of foams/emulsions. The nanoparticles affect the conformation of the polymer network, both in bulk aqueous environments and when the microgels are adsorbed at a fluid interface, in a non-trivial manner by modulating the microgel size, stiffness and apparent contact angle. EXPERIMENTS Here, we provide a detailed investigation, using light scattering, in-situ atomic force microscopy and nano-indentation experiments, of the interaction between poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels and hydrophobized silica nanoparticles after mixing in aqueous suspension to shed light on the network reorganization upon nanoparticle incorporation. FINDINGS The addition of nanoparticles decreases the microgels' bulk swelling and thermal response. When adsorbed at an oil-water interface, a higher ratio of nanoparticles influences the microgel's stiffness as well as their hydrophobic/hydrophilic character by increasing their effective contact angle, consequently modulating the monolayer response upon interfacial compression. Overall, these results provide fundamental understanding on the complex conformation of hybrid microgels in different environments and give inspiration to design new materials where the combination of a soft polymer network and nanoparticles might result in additional functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Vialetto
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy; Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland; Consorzio interuniversitario per lo sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (CSGI), via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
| | - Shivaprakash N Ramakrishna
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Stock
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Regine von Klitzing
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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2
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Lux C, Kerz S, Ribeiro CC, Bareuther J, Lützenkirchen J, Stock S, Tsintsaris M, Rehahn M, Stark RW, von Klitzing R. Conceptualizing flexible papers using cellulose model surfaces and polymer particles. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1333-1346. [PMID: 38251414 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01461d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Cellulose, as a naturally abundant and biocompatible material, is still gaining interest due to its high potential for functionalization. This makes cellulose a promising candidate for replacing plastics. Understanding how cellulose interacts with various additives is crucial for creating composite materials with diverse properties, as it is the case for plastics. In addition, the mechanical properties of the composite materials are assumed to be related to the mobility of the additives against the cellulose. Using a well-defined cellulose model surface (CMS), we aim to understand the adsorption and desorption of two polymeric particles (core-shell particles and microgels) to/from the cellulose surface. The nanomechanics of particles and CMS are quantified by indentation measurements with an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM topography measurements quantified particle adsorption and desorption on the CMS, while peak force AFM measurements determined the force needed to move individual particles. Both particles and the CMS exhibited pH-dependent charge behavior, allowing a tunable interaction between them. Particle adsorption was irreversible and driven by electrostatic forces. In contrast, desorption and particle mobility forces are dominated by structural morphology. In addition, we found that an annealing procedure consisting of swelling/drying cycles significantly increased the adhesion strength of both particles. Using the data, we achieve a deeper understanding of the interaction of cellulose with polymeric particles, with the potential to advance the development of functional materials and contribute to various fields, including smart packaging, sensors, and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Lux
- Soft Matter at Interfaces, Department of Physics, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Kerz
- Soft Matter at Interfaces, Department of Physics, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Catarina C Ribeiro
- Physics of Surfaces, Department of Material Science, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Bareuther
- Macromolecular Chemistry: Chemistry of Polymers, Department of Chemistry, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Johannes Lützenkirchen
- Institute for Nuclear Disposal, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sebastian Stock
- Soft Matter at Interfaces, Department of Physics, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | | | - Matthias Rehahn
- Macromolecular Chemistry: Chemistry of Polymers, Department of Chemistry, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Robert W Stark
- Physics of Surfaces, Department of Material Science, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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3
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Forg S, Guo X, von Klitzing R. Influence of Dopamine Methacrylamide on Swelling Behavior and Nanomechanical Properties of PNIPAM Microgels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:1521-1534. [PMID: 38146181 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The combination of the catechol-containing comonomer dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) with stimuli-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels bears a huge potential in research and for applications due to the versatile properties of catechols. This research gives the first detailed insights into the influence of DMA on the swelling of PNIPAM microgels and their nanomechanical properties. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that DMA decreases the volume phase transition temperature and completion temperature due to its higher hydrophobicity when compared to NIPAM, while sharpening the transition. The cross-linking ability of DMA decreases the swelling ratios and mesh sizes of the microgels. Microgels adsorbed at the solid surface are characterized by atomic force microscopy─as the DMA content increases, microgels protrude more from the surface. Force spectroscopy measurements below and above the volume phase transition temperature display a stiffening of the microgels with the incorporation of DMA and upon heating across its entire cross section as evidenced by an increase in the E modulus. This confirms the cross-linking ability of DMA. The affine network factor β, derived from the Flory-Rehner theory, is linearly correlated with the E moduli of both pure PNIPAM and P(NIPAM-co-DMA) microgels. However, large DMA amounts hinder the microgel shrinking while maintaining mechanical stiffness, possibly due to catechol interactions within the microgel network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Forg
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Xuhong Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 200231 Shanghai, China
| | - Regine von Klitzing
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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Hagemans F, Camerin F, Hazra N, Lammertz J, Dux F, Del Monte G, Laukkanen OV, Crassous JJ, Zaccarelli E, Richtering W. Buckling and Interfacial Deformation of Fluorescent Poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) Microgel Capsules. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7257-7271. [PMID: 37053566 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Hollow microgels are fascinating model systems at the crossover between polymer vesicles, emulsions, and colloids as they deform, interpenetrate, and eventually shrink at higher volume fraction or when subjected to an external stress. Here, we introduce a system consisting of microgels with a micrometer-sized cavity enabling a straightforward characterization in situ using fluorescence microscopy techniques. Similarly to elastic capsules, these systems are found to reversibly buckle above a critical osmotic pressure, conversely to smaller hollow microgels, which were previously reported to deswell at high volume fraction. Simulations performed on monomer-resolved in silico hollow microgels confirm the buckling transition and show that the presented microgels can be described with a thin shell model theory. When brought to an interface, these microgels, that we define as microgel capsules, strongly deform and we thus propose to utilize them to locally probe interfacial properties within a theoretical framework adapted from the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory. Besides their capability to sense their environment and to address fundamental questions on the elasticity and permeability of microgel systems, microgel capsules can be further envisioned as model systems mimicking anisotropic responsive biological systems such as red blood and epithelial cells thanks to the possibility offered by microgels to be synthesized with custom-designed properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hagemans
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Camerin
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Nabanita Hazra
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Janik Lammertz
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Frédéric Dux
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Giovanni Del Monte
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Olli-Ville Laukkanen
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Koivurannantie 1, 40400 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jérôme J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR-ISC, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le A. Moro 2 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, DE-52074 Aachen, Germany
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5
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Tatry MC, Laurichesse E, Vermant J, Ravaine V, Schmitt V. Interfacial rheology of model water-air microgels laden interfaces: Effect of cross-linking. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 629:288-299. [PMID: 36155924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.08.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS The mechanical properties of model air/water interfaces covered by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels depend on the microgels deformability or in other words on the amount of cross-linker added during synthesis. EXPERIMENTS The study is carried out by measuring the apparent dilational, the compression and the shear moduli using three complementary methods: (1) the pendant drop method with perturbative areas, (2) the Langmuir trough compression, and (3) shear rheology using a double wall ring cell mounted onto a Langmuir through. FINDINGS In the range of surface coverages studied, the interfaces exhibit a solid-like behavior and elasticity goes through a maximum as a function of the surface pressure. This is observable whatever the investigation method. This maximum elasticity depends on the microgel deformability: the softer the microgels the higher the value of the moduli. The mechanical behavior of model interfaces is discussed, taking into account the core-shell structure of the particles and their packing at the interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Charlotte Tatry
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), UMR 5031, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, 115 Avenue du Dr Albert Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France; Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, 33400 Talence, France.
| | - Eric Laurichesse
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), UMR 5031, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, 115 Avenue du Dr Albert Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Jan Vermant
- Laboratory of Soft Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Valérie Ravaine
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, 33400 Talence, France.
| | - Véronique Schmitt
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), UMR 5031, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, 115 Avenue du Dr Albert Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France.
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6
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Kühnhammer M, Gräff K, Loran E, Soltwedel O, Löhmann O, Frielinghaus H, von Klitzing R. Structure formation of PNIPAM microgels in foams and foam films. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:9249-9262. [PMID: 36440620 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01021f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Responsive aqueous foams are very interesting from a fundamental point of view and for various applications like foam flooding or foam flotation. In this study thermoresponsive microgels (MGs) made from poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAM) with varying cross-linker content, are used as foam stabilisers. The foams obtained are thermoresponsive and can be destabilised by increasing the temperature. The structuring of MGs inside the foam films is investigated with small-angle neutron scattering and in a thin film pressure balance. The foam films are inhomogeneous and form a network-like structure, in which thin and MG depleted zones with a thickness of ca. 30 nm are interspersed in a continuous network of thick MG containing areas with a thickness of several 100 nm. The thickness of this continuous network is related to the elastic modulus of the individual MGs, which was determined by atomic force microscopy indentation experiments. Both, the elastic moduli and foam film thicknesses, indicate a correlation to the network elasticity of the MGs predicted by the affine network model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Kühnhammer
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Kevin Gräff
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Edwin Loran
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Olaf Soltwedel
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Oliver Löhmann
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - Henrich Frielinghaus
- Jülich Center for Neutron Science at the Heinz Maier Leibnitz Zentrum, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Lichtenbergstrasse 1, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Regine von Klitzing
- Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 8, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany.
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7
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Han D, Goudeau B, Lapeyre V, Ravaine V, Jiang D, Fang D, Sojic N. Enhanced electrochemiluminescence at microgel-functionalized beads. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 216:114640. [PMID: 36030741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bead-based assays are successfully combined with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology for detection of a wide range of biomarkers. Herein, we demonstrate a novel approach to enhance the ECL signal by decorating micrometric beads with [Ru(bpy)3]2+-grafted microgels (diameter ∼100 nm). Rapid and stable light emission was spatially resolved at the level of single functionalized beads. An enhancement of the ECL signal of microgel-labeled beads by 9-fold was observed in comparison to molecularly linked [Ru(bpy)3]2+ beads prepared by a sandwich immunoassay or an amide bond. Imaging the ECL signal at the single bead level shows that the size of the ECL-emitting layer is extended using the microgels. The reported method offers a great promise for the optimization of bead-based ECL detection and subsequent development of ECL microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongni Han
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, UMR 5255, Site ENSCBP, 33607, Pessac, France; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211126, China
| | - Bertrand Goudeau
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, UMR 5255, Site ENSCBP, 33607, Pessac, France
| | - Véronique Lapeyre
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, UMR 5255, Site ENSCBP, 33607, Pessac, France
| | - Valérie Ravaine
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, UMR 5255, Site ENSCBP, 33607, Pessac, France
| | - Dechen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Nanjing University. Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Danjun Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211126, China.
| | - Neso Sojic
- Univ. Bordeaux, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, UMR 5255, Site ENSCBP, 33607, Pessac, France.
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8
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Xu Y, Zhu H, Denduluri A, Ou Y, Erkamp NA, Qi R, Shen Y, Knowles TPJ. Recent Advances in Microgels: From Biomolecules to Functionality. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200180. [PMID: 35790106 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The emerging applications of hydrogel materials at different length scales, in areas ranging from sustainability to health, have driven the progress in the design and manufacturing of microgels. Microgels can provide miniaturized, monodisperse, and regulatable compartments, which can be spatially separated or interconnected. These microscopic materials provide novel opportunities for generating biomimetic cell culture environments and are thus key to the advances of modern biomedical research. The evolution of the physical and chemical properties has, furthermore, highlighted the potentials of microgels in the context of materials science and bioengineering. This review describes the recent research progress in the fabrication, characterization, and applications of microgels generated from biomolecular building blocks. A key enabling technology allowing the tailoring of the properties of microgels is their synthesis through microfluidic technologies, and this paper highlights recent advances in these areas and their impact on expanding the physicochemical parameter space accessible using microgels. This review finally discusses the emerging roles that microgels play in liquid-liquid phase separation, micromechanics, biosensors, and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufan Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Hongjia Zhu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Akhila Denduluri
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yangteng Ou
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Nadia A Erkamp
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Runzhang Qi
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Yi Shen
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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9
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Hu N, Mi L, Metwalli E, Bießmann L, Herold C, Cubitt R, Zhong Q, Müller-Buschbaum P. Effect of Thermal Stimulus on Kinetic Rehydration of Thermoresponsive Poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)- block-poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) Thin Films Probed by In Situ Neutron Reflectivity. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:8094-8103. [PMID: 35732057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The kinetic rehydration of thin di-block copolymer poly(diethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate)-block-poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PO2-b-PO300) films containing two thermoresponsive components is probed by in situ neutron reflectivity (NR) with different thermal stimuli in the D2O vapor atmosphere. The transition temperatures (TTs) of PO2 and PO300 blocks are 25 and 60 °C, respectively. After the one-step stimulus (rapid decrease in temperature from 60 to 20 °C), the film directly switches from a collapsed to a fully swollen state. The rehydration process is divided into four steps: (a) D2O condensation, (b) D2O absorption, (c) D2O evaporation, and (d) film reswelling. However, the film presents a different rehydration behavior when the thermal stimulus is separated into two smaller steps (first decrease from 60 to 40 °C and then to 20 °C). The film first switches from a collapsed to a semiswollen state caused by the rehydrated PO300 blocks after the first step of thermal stimulus (60 to 40 °C) and then to a swollen state induced by the rehydrated PO2 blocks after the second step (40 to 20 °C). Thus, the kinetic responses are distinct from that after the one-step thermal stimulus. Both the time and extent of condensation as well as evaporation processes are significantly reduced in these two smaller steps. However, the final states of the rehydrated PO2-b-PO300 films are basically identical irrespective of the applied thermal stimulus. Thus, the final state of thermoresponsive di-block copolymer films is not affected by the external thermal stimuli, which is beneficial for the design and preparation of sensors or switches based on thermoresponsive polymer films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng Hu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Lei Mi
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ezzeldin Metwalli
- Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Lorenz Bießmann
- Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Christian Herold
- Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Robert Cubitt
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Qi Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials & Manufacturing Technology, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Peter Müller-Buschbaum
- Physik-Department, Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
- Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 1, Garching 85748, Germany
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10
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Scotti A, Schulte MF, Lopez CG, Crassous JJ, Bochenek S, Richtering W. How Softness Matters in Soft Nanogels and Nanogel Assemblies. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11675-11700. [PMID: 35671377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Softness plays a key role in determining the macroscopic properties of colloidal systems, from synthetic nanogels to biological macromolecules, from viruses to star polymers. However, we are missing a way to quantify what the term "softness" means in nanoscience. Having quantitative parameters is fundamental to compare different systems and understand what the consequences of softness on the macroscopic properties are. Here, we propose different quantities that can be measured using scattering methods and microscopy experiments. On the basis of these quantities, we review the recent literature on micro- and nanogels, i.e. cross-linked polymer networks swollen in water, a widely used model system for soft colloids. Applying our criteria, we address the question what makes a nanomaterial soft? We discuss and introduce general criteria to quantify the different definitions of softness for an individual compressible colloid. This is done in terms of the energetic cost associated with the deformation and the capability of the colloid to isotropically deswell. Then, concentrated solutions of soft colloids are considered. New definitions of softness and new parameters, which depend on the particle-to-particle interactions, are introduced in terms of faceting and interpenetration. The influence of the different synthetic routes on the softness of nanogels is discussed. Concentrated solutions of nanogels are considered and we review the recent results in the literature concerning the phase behavior and flow properties of nanogels both in three and two dimensions, in the light of the different parameters we defined. The aim of this review is to look at the results on micro- and nanogels in a more quantitative way that allow us to explain the reported properties in terms of differences in colloidal softness. Furthermore, this review can give researchers dealing with soft colloids quantitative methods to define unambiguously which softness matters in their compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scotti
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - M Friederike Schulte
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Carlos G Lopez
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Jérôme J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
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11
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Forg S, Karbacher A, Ye Z, Guo X, von Klitzing R. Copolymerization Kinetics of Dopamine Methacrylamide during PNIPAM Microgel Synthesis for Increased Adhesive Properties. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5275-5285. [PMID: 35142528 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Combining stimuli-responsive properties of gels with adhesive properties of mussels is highly interesting for a large field of applications as, e.g., in life science. Therefore, the present paper focuses on the copolymerization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels with dopamine methacrylamide (DMA). A detailed understanding of reaction kinetics is crucial to figure out an optimized synthesis strategy for tailoring microgels with adhesive properties. The present study addresses the influence of relevant synthesis parameters as the injection time of DMA during the microgel synthesis and the overall reaction time of the microgel. Reaction kinetics were studied by mass spectrometry of time samples taken during the microgel synthesis. This allowed us to determine the monomer consumption of NIPAM, the cross-linker N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS), and DMA. A second-order reaction kinetics was found for DMA incorporation. The amount of DMA incorporated in the resulting microgel was successfully determined by a combination of UV-vis and NMR spectroscopy to level off limitations of both methods. The dependence of the hydrodynamic radius on temperature was determined by DLS measurements for the microgels. While an early injection of DMA stops the PNIPAM polymerization due to scavenging, it greatly enhances the reaction speed of DMA. The faster reaction of DMA and the incomplete NIPAM and BIS conversion also compensate for shorter reaction times with respect to the incorporated amount of DMA. On the contrary, a later injection of DMA leads to a full NIPAM monomer and BIS cross-linker consumption. An overall reaction time of 60 min ensures the DMA incorporation. Longer reaction times lead to clumping. First adhesion tests show an increased adhesion of P(NIPAM-co-DMA) microgels compared to pure PNIPAM microgels, when mechanical stress is applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Forg
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt 64289, Germany
| | - Alexandra Karbacher
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt 64289, Germany
| | - Zhishuang Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xuhong Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Regine von Klitzing
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt 64289, Germany
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12
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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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13
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Maldonado-Valderrama J, Yang Y, Jiménez-Guerra M, del Castillo-Santaella T, Ramos J, Martín-Molina A. Complexation of DNA with Thermoresponsive Charged Microgels: Role of Swelling State and Electrostatics. Gels 2022; 8:184. [PMID: 35323297 PMCID: PMC8955517 DOI: 10.3390/gels8030184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro- and nanogels are being increasingly used to encapsulate bioactive compounds. Their soft structure allows large loading capacity while their stimuli responsiveness makes them extremely versatile. In this work, the complexation of DNA with thermoresponsive microgels is presented. To this end, PEGylated charged microgels based on poly-N-isopropylacrylamide have been synthesized, allowing one to explore the electrostatics of the complexation. Cationic microgels complexate spontaneously by electrostatic attraction to oppositely charged DNA as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility of the complexes. Then, Langmuir monolayers reveal an increased interaction of DNA with swollen microgels (20 °C). Anionic microgels require the presence of multivalent cations (Ca2+) to promote the complexation, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion with negatively charged DNA. Then again, Langmuir monolayers evidence their complexation at the surface. However, the presence of Ca2+ seems to induce profound changes in the interaction and surface conformation of anionic microgels. These alterations are further explored by measuring adsorbed films with the pendant drop technique. Conformational changes induced by Ca2+ on the structure of the microgel can ultimately affect the complexation with DNA and should be considered in the design. The combination of microstructural and surface properties for microgels offers a new perspective into complexation of DNA with soft particles with biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maldonado-Valderrama
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain; (J.M.-V.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.-G.); (T.d.C.-S.)
- Excellence Research Unit “Modelling Nature” (MNat), Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Yan Yang
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain; (J.M.-V.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.-G.); (T.d.C.-S.)
| | - Maykel Jiménez-Guerra
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain; (J.M.-V.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.-G.); (T.d.C.-S.)
| | - Teresa del Castillo-Santaella
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain; (J.M.-V.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.-G.); (T.d.C.-S.)
| | - José Ramos
- IQLIT Emulsiones Poliméricas S.L.U., Autovía Tarragona-Salou Km 3,8., 43110 La Canonja, Tarragona, Spain;
| | - Alberto Martín-Molina
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva sn, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain; (J.M.-V.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.-G.); (T.d.C.-S.)
- Instituto Carlos I de Física Teórica y Computacional, Universdad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Granada, Spain
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14
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Merland T, Waldmann L, Guignard O, Tatry MC, Wirotius AL, Lapeyre V, Garrigue P, Nicolai T, Benyahia L, Ravaine V. Thermo-induced inversion of water-in-water emulsion stability by bis-hydrophilic microgels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 608:1191-1201. [PMID: 34735854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.10.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Stabilization of water-in-water (W/W) emulsions resulting from the separation of polymeric phases such as dextran (DEX) and poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) is highly challenging, because of the very low interfacial tensions between the two phases and because of the interface thickness extending over several nanometers. In the present work, we present a new type of stabilizers, based on bis-hydrophilic, thermoresponsive microgels, incorporating in the same structure poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) chains having an affinity for the PEO phase and dextran moieties. We hypothesize that these particles allow better control of the stability of the W/W emulsions. EXPERIMENTS The microgels were synthesized by copolymerizing the NIPAM monomer with a multifunctional methacrylated dextran. They were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance as a function of temperature. Microgels with different compositions were tested as stabilizers of droplets of the PEO phase dispersed in the DEX phase (P/D) or vice-versa (D/P), at different concentrations and temperatures. FINDINGS Only microgels with the highest DEX content revealed excellent stabilizing properties for the emulsions by adsorbing at the droplet surface, thus demonstrating the fundamental role of bis-hydrophilicity. At room temperature, both pNIPAM and DEX chains were swollen by water and stabilized better D/P emulsions. However, above the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT ≈ 32 °C) of pNIPAM the microgels shrunk and stabilized better P/D emulsions. At all temperatures, excess microgels partitioned more to the PEO phase. The change in structure and interparticle interaction induced by heating can be exploited to control the W/W emulsion stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théo Merland
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM), UMR 6283 CNRS - Le Mans Université, 1, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France
| | - Léa Waldmann
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Oksana Guignard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | | | | | - Véronique Lapeyre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Patrick Garrigue
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Taco Nicolai
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM), UMR 6283 CNRS - Le Mans Université, 1, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France
| | - Lazhar Benyahia
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM), UMR 6283 CNRS - Le Mans Université, 1, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France.
| | - Valérie Ravaine
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France.
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15
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Stock S, von Klitzing R. Microgels at Droplet Interfaces of Water-in-Oil Emulsions - Challenges and Progress. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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16
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17
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Li G, Varga I, Kardos A, Dobryden I, Claesson PM. Nanoscale Mechanical Properties of Core-Shell-like Poly-NIPAm Microgel Particles: Effect of Temperature and Cross-Linking Density. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:9860-9869. [PMID: 34428041 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c04173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Poly-NIPAm microgel particles with two different cross-linking densities were prepared with the classical batch polymerization process. These particles were adsorbed onto modified silica surfaces, and their nanomechanical properties were measured by means of atomic force microscopy. It was found that these particles have a hard core-soft shell structure both below and above the volume transition temperature. The core-shell-like structure appears due to a higher reaction rate of the cross-linker compared to that of the monomer, leading to depletion of cross-linker in the shell region. The microgel beads with lower average cross-linking density were found to be less stiff below the volume transition temperature than the microgel with higher cross-linking density. Increasing the temperature further to just above the volume transition temperature led to lower stiffness of the more highly cross-linked microgel compared to its less cross-linked counterpart. This effect is explained with the more gradual deswelling with temperature for the more cross-linked microgel particles. This phenomenon was confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurements in the bulk phase, which showed that the larger cross-linking density microgel showed a more gradual collapse in aqueous solution as the temperature was increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Li
- Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas väg 51, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Imre Varga
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Chemistry, University J. Selyeho, 945 01 Komarno, Slovakia
| | - Attila Kardos
- Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1/A, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Chemistry, University J. Selyeho, 945 01 Komarno, Slovakia
| | - Illia Dobryden
- Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas väg 51, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Materials Science, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Per M Claesson
- Biotechnology and Health, Department of Chemistry, Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas väg 51, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Bioscience and Materials, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Box 5607, SE 114 86 Stockholm, Sweden
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Nishizawa
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Honda
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
| | - Daisuke Suzuki
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
- Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan
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19
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Oevreeide IH, Szydlak R, Luty M, Ahmed H, Prot V, Skallerud BH, Zemła J, Lekka M, Stokke BT. On the Determination of Mechanical Properties of Aqueous Microgels-Towards High-Throughput Characterization. Gels 2021; 7:64. [PMID: 34072792 PMCID: PMC8261632 DOI: 10.3390/gels7020064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aqueous microgels are distinct entities of soft matter with mechanical signatures that can be different from their macroscopic counterparts due to confinement effects in the preparation, inherently made to consist of more than one domain (Janus particles) or further processing by coating and change in the extent of crosslinking of the core. Motivated by the importance of the mechanical properties of such microgels from a fundamental point, but also related to numerous applications, we provide a perspective on the experimental strategies currently available and emerging tools being explored. Albeit all techniques in principle exploit enforcing stress and observing strain, the realization differs from directly, as, e.g., by atomic force microscope, to less evident in a fluid field combined with imaging by a high-speed camera in high-throughput strategies. Moreover, the accompanying analysis strategies also reflect such differences, and the level of detail that would be preferred for a comprehensive understanding of the microgel mechanical properties are not always implemented. Overall, the perspective is that current technologies have the capacity to provide detailed, nanoscopic mechanical characterization of microgels over an extended size range, to the high-throughput approaches providing distributions over the mechanical signatures, a feature not readily accessible by atomic force microscopy and micropipette aspiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Haga Oevreeide
- Biophysics and Medical Technology, Department of Physics, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (I.H.O.); (H.A.)
| | - Renata Szydlak
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland; (R.S.); (M.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Marcin Luty
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland; (R.S.); (M.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Husnain Ahmed
- Biophysics and Medical Technology, Department of Physics, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (I.H.O.); (H.A.)
| | - Victorien Prot
- Biomechanics, Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (V.P.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Bjørn Helge Skallerud
- Biomechanics, Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (V.P.); (B.H.S.)
| | - Joanna Zemła
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland; (R.S.); (M.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland; (R.S.); (M.L.); (J.Z.)
| | - Bjørn Torger Stokke
- Biophysics and Medical Technology, Department of Physics, NTNU The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; (I.H.O.); (H.A.)
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20
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Fernandez-Rodriguez MA, Martín-Molina A, Maldonado-Valderrama J. Microgels at interfaces, from mickering emulsions to flat interfaces and back. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 288:102350. [PMID: 33418470 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we cover the topic of p(NIPAM) based microgels at interfaces, revisiting classical studies in light of the newest ones. In particular, we focus on their use as emulsifiers in the so-called mickering emulsions, i.e. Pickering emulsion stabilized by soft particles. Given the complexity of the experimental characterization and simulation of these soft particles at interfaces, the review is structured in progressive complexity levels, until we reach the highly interesting and promising responsiveness to stimuli of mickering emulsions. We start from the lowest level of complexity, the current understanding of the behavior of single microgels confined at a flat interface. Then, we discuss their collective behavior upon crowding, their responsiveness at interfaces, and their macroscopic properties as microgel films. Once we have the necessary characterization tools, we proceed to discuss the complex and convoluted picture of responsive mickering emulsions. The way is rough, with current controversial and contradicting studies, but it holds promising results as well. We state open questions worth of being tackled by the Soft Matter community, and we conclude that it is worth the trouble of continuing after the master theory of microgel interfacial activity, as it will pave the way to widely adopt responsive mickering emulsions as the worthy Pickering emulsion successors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Martín-Molina
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute Carlos I for Theoretical and Computational Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Julia Maldonado-Valderrama
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; Excellence Unit "ModellingNature" (MNat), , University of Granada, Spain.
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21
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Bochenek S, Scotti A, Richtering W. Temperature-sensitive soft microgels at interfaces: air-water versus oil-water. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:976-988. [PMID: 33284940 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01774d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The formation of smart emulsions or foams whose stability can be controlled on-demand by switching external parameters is of great interest for basic research and applications. An emerging group of smart stabilizers are microgels, which are nano- and micro-sized, three-dimensional polymer networks that are swollen by a good solvent. In the last decades, the influence of various external stimuli on the two-dimensional phase behavior of microgels at air- and oil-water interfaces has been studied. However, the impact of the top-phase itself has been barely considered. Here, we present data that directly address the influence of the top-phase on the microgel properties at interfaces. The dimensions of pNIPAM microgels are measured after deposition from two interfaces, i.e., air- and decane-water. While the total in-plane size of the microgel increases with increasing interfacial tension, the portions or fractions of the microgels situated in the aqueous phase are not affected. We correlate the area microgels occupy to the surface tensions of the interfaces, which allows to estimate an elastic modulus. In comparison to nanoindentation measurements, we observe a larger elastic modulus for the microgels. By combining compression, deposition, and visualization, we show that the two-dimensional phase behavior of the microgel monolayers is not altered, although the microgels have a larger total in-plane size at higher interfacial tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
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22
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23
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Switacz VK, Wypysek SK, Degen R, Crassous JJ, Spehr M, Richtering W. Influence of Size and Cross-Linking Density of Microgels on Cellular Uptake and Uptake Kinetics. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4532-4544. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria K. Switacz
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sarah K. Wypysek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Degen
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jérôme J. Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Marc Spehr
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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24
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Yan H, Hjorth M, Winkeljann B, Dobryden I, Lieleg O, Crouzier T. Glyco-Modification of Mucin Hydrogels to Investigate Their Immune Activity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:19324-19336. [PMID: 32301325 PMCID: PMC7304668 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c03645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Mucins are multifunctional glycosylated proteins that are increasingly investigated as building blocks of novel biomaterials. An attractive feature is their ability to modulate the immune response, in part by engaging with sialic acid binding receptors on immune cells. Once assembled into hydrogels, bovine submaxillary mucins (Muc gels) were shown to modulate the recruitment and activation of immune cells and avoid fibrous encapsulation in vivo. However, nothing is known about the early immune response to Muc gels. This study characterizes the response of macrophages, important orchestrators of the material-mediated immune response, over the first 7 days in contact with Muc gels. The role of mucin-bound sialic acid sugar residues was investigated by first enzymatically cleaving the sugar and then assembling the mucin variants into covalently cross-linked hydrogels with rheological and surface nanomechanical properties similar to nonmodified Muc gels. Results with THP-1 and human primary peripheral blood monocytes derived macrophages showed that Muc gels transiently activate the expression of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and cell surface markers, for most makers with a maximum on the first day and loss of the effect after 7 days. The activation was sialic acid-dependent for a majority of the markers followed. The pattern of gene expression, protein expression, and functional measurements did not strictly correspond to M1 or M2 macrophage phenotypes. This study highlights the complex early events in macrophage activation in contact with mucin materials and the importance of sialic acid residues in such a response. The enzymatic glyco-modulation of Muc gels appears as a useful tool to help understand the biological functions of specific glycans on mucins which can further inform on their use in various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongji Yan
- Division of Glycoscience,
Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Royal Institute
of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Morgan Hjorth
- Division of Glycoscience,
Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Royal Institute
of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Winkeljann
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Munich School of Bioengineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Illia Dobryden
- Division of Surface and Corrosion Science, Department of Chemistry,
School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Drottning Kristinas väg 51, 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver Lieleg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Munich School of Bioengineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 11, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas Crouzier
- Division of Glycoscience,
Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry,
Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Royal Institute
of Technology, AlbaNova University Center, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Yong H, Merlitz H, Fery A, Sommer JU. Polymer Brushes and Gels in Competing Solvents: The Role of Different Interactions and Quantitative Predictions for Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in Alcohol–Water Mixtures. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Huaisong Yong
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Merlitz
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Fery
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens-Uwe Sommer
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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26
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van Duinen D, Butt HJ, Berger R. Two-Stage Collapse of PNIPAM Brushes: Viscoelastic Changes Revealed by an Interferometric Laser Technique. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:15776-15783. [PMID: 31633361 PMCID: PMC6943814 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many temperature-responsive polymers exhibit a single-phase transition at the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). One exception is poly(N-isopropylacryamide) (PNIPAM). PNIPAM brush layers (51 ± 3 nm thick) that are end-grafted onto glass beads collapse in two stages. The viscoelastic changes of a PNIPAM brush layers were investigated with an interferometric laser method at different temperatures. This method is able to measure the two-stage collapse of beads coated with a polymer brush layer. When these beads are situated close to a hydrophilic glass surface, they exhibit Brownian motion. As this Brownian motion changes with temperature, the collapse of the polymer layer is revealed. The characteristic spectrum of the Brownian motion of beads is modeled by a damped harmonic oscillator, where the polymer layer acts as both spring and damping elements. The change of the Brownian motion spectrum with temperature indicates two transitions of the PNIPAM brush layer, one at 36 °C and one at 46 °C. We attribute the first transition to the LCST volume collapse of PNIPAM. Here, changes of the density and viscosity of the brush dominate. The second transition is dominated by a stiffening of the brush layer.
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27
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Schulte MF, Scotti A, Brugnoni M, Bochenek S, Mourran A, Richtering W. Tuning the Structure and Properties of Ultra-Low Cross-Linked Temperature-Sensitive Microgels at Interfaces via the Adsorption Pathway. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:14769-14781. [PMID: 31638406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The structure of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels adsorbed onto a solid substrate is investigated in the dry and hydrated states by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). We compare two different systems: a regularly cross-linked microgel containing 5 mol % cross-linker and ultra-low cross-linked microgels (ULC) prepared without a dedicated cross-linker. Furthermore, we compare three different adsorption processes: (i) in situ adsorption from solution, (ii) spin-coating, and (iii) Langmuir-Blodgett deposition from an oil-water interface. The results demonstrate that the morphology and the temperature-induced collapse of microgels adsorbed onto a solid substrate are very different for ultra-low cross-linked microgels as compared to regularly cross-linked microgels, despite the fact that their general behavior in solution is very similar. Furthermore, the morphology of ULC microgels can be controlled by the adsorption pathway onto the substrate. Absorbed ULC microgels are strongly deformed when being prepared either by spin-coating or by Langmuir-Blodgett deposition from an oil-water interface. After rehydration, the ULC microgels cannot collapse as entire objects, instead small globules are formed. Such a strong deformation can be avoided by in situ adsorption onto the substrate. Then, the ULC microgels exhibit half-ellipsoidal shapes with a smooth surface in the collapsed state similar to the more cross-linked microgels. As ULC microgels can be selectively trapped either in a more particle-like or in a more polymer-like behavior, coatings with strongly different topographies and properties can be prepared by one and the same ultra-low cross-linked microgel. This provides new opportunities for the development of smart polymeric coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Friederike Schulte
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials , Forckenbeckstr. 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Andrea Scotti
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Monia Brugnoni
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Ahmed Mourran
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials , Forckenbeckstr. 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , Landoltweg 2 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials , Forckenbeckstr. 50 , 52056 Aachen , Germany
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28
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Tatry MC, Qiu Y, Lapeyre V, Garrigue P, Schmitt V, Ravaine V. Sugar-responsive Pickering emulsions mediated by switching hydrophobicity in microgels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2019; 561:481-493. [PMID: 31740129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2019.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Pickering emulsions stabilized by soft and responsive microgels can demulsify on demand upon microgel collapse. The concept has been explored with simple model microgels such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) and their derivatives, but the role of functionalization is largely unexplored. EXPERIMENTS Saccharide-responsive phenylboronic-modified microgels are used as Pickering emulsion stabilizers. Emulsion stability and microgel organization at drop surface are studied as a function of saccharide concentration. Better insight into their behavior at interfaces is gained through adsorption kinetics and Langmuir film studies at air-water interface. FINDINGS The functionalization of water-swollen microgels by phenylboronic functions imparts some hydrophobicity to the structure, at the origin of additional internal cross-links analogous which rigidify the structure compared to non-functionalized microgels, as proved by their slow adsorption kinetics and poor interfacial compressibility. Upon boronate ester formation with diol groups of the saccharide, the hydrophobic character of the phenylboronic acid decreases, increasing the adsorption kinetics and their interfacial compressibility. Emulsions are stable in the presence of saccharide, given the high deformability of the yet-hydrophilic microgels, and mechanically unstable with less deformable particles in low saccharide concentration. The hydrophobic-hydrophilic switch acts as a trigger to tune the microgel stabilizing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Charlotte Tatry
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France; Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR 5031, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, 115 Avenue du Dr A. Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Yating Qiu
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Véronique Lapeyre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Patrick Garrigue
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Véronique Schmitt
- Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UMR 5031, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, 115 Avenue du Dr A. Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Valérie Ravaine
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255, F-33400 Talence, France.
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29
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Bahri A, Chevalier-Lucia D, Marchesseau S, Schmitt C, Gergely C, Martin M. Effect of pH change on size and nanomechanical behavior of whey protein microgels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2019; 555:558-568. [PMID: 31404840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2019.07.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Microgels specific structural and functional features are attracting high research interest in several applications such as bioactives and drug delivery or functional food ingredients. Whey protein microgels (WPM) are obtained by heat treatment of whey protein isolate (WPI) in order to promote intramolecular cross-linking. In the present work, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used in contact mode and in liquid to investigate WPM particles topography and mechanical properties at the nanoscale at native pH (6.5) and acid pH (5.5 and 3.0). Prior to AFM, WPM particles were captured on a gold substrate via low energy interactions by means of specific monoclonal antibodies. AFM images clearly showed an increase in the size of WPM particles induced by pH decrease. AFM in force spectroscopy mode was employed to monitor the elasticity of WPMs. The obtained effective Young's modulus data showed a significant increase in stiffness at pH 5.5 and pH 3.0, over 15-fold compared to native pH. These findings indicate that the mechanical profile of the WPM network varied with the pH decrease. The WPM topographic and nanomechanical changes induced by acidification were most likely due to substantial changes in the shape and inner structure of WPM particles. Our results suggest that internally cross-linked structures, modified by acidification could display interesting functional properties when used as a food ingredient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Bahri
- IATE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France; L2C, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sylvie Marchesseau
- IATE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Schmitt
- Nestlé Institute of Material Sciences, Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Marta Martin
- L2C, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
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30
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Murray BS. Microgels at fluid-fluid interfaces for food and drinks. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2019; 271:101990. [PMID: 31330395 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2019.101990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Various aspects of microgel adsorption at fluid-fluid interfaces of relevance to emulsion and foam stabilization have been reviewed. The emphasis is on the wider non-food literature, with a view to highlighting how this understanding can be applied to food-based systems. The various different types of microgel, their methods of formation and their fundamental behavioral traits at interfaces are covered. The latter includes aspects of microgel deformation and packing at interfaces, their deformability, size, swelling and de-swelling and how this affects their surface activity and stabilizing properties. Experimental and theoretical methods for measuring and modelling their behaviour are surveyed, including interactions between microgels themselves at interfaces but also other surface active species. It is concluded that challenges still remain in translating all the possibilities synthetic microgels offer to microgels based on food-grade materials only, but Nature's rich tool box of biopolymers and biosurfactants suggests that this field will still open up important new avenues of food microstructure development and control.
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31
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Minina ES, Sánchez PA, Likos CN, Kantorovich SS. Studying synthesis confinement effects on the internal structure of nanogels in computer simulations. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.111066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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32
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Yong H, Bittrich E, Uhlmann P, Fery A, Sommer JU. Co-Nonsolvency Transition of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Brushes in a Series of Binary Mixtures. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Huaisong Yong
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Eva Bittrich
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Petra Uhlmann
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hamilton Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, United States
| | - Andreas Fery
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens-Uwe Sommer
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
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33
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Shanks HR, Milani AH, Lu D, Saunders BR, Carney L, Adlam DJ, Hoyland JA, Blount C, Dickinson M. Core-Shell-Shell Nanoparticles for NIR Fluorescence Imaging and NRET Swelling Reporting of Injectable or Implantable Gels. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:2694-2702. [PMID: 31185170 PMCID: PMC7007186 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Injectable gels that support load are desirable for restoring the mechanical properties of degenerated load-bearing tissue. As these gels become increasingly sophisticated, the need to remotely image them and monitor their swelling increases. However, imaging such gels and monitoring their swelling using noninvasive means is challenging. Here, we use a very low concentration of near-infrared (NIR) core-shell-shell (CSS) reporter nanoparticles to both image and monitor swelling changes of two load-supporting gels. The load-supporting injectable gel consisted of covalently interlinked pH-responsive microgel (MG) particles. The latter gel was not cytotoxic and is termed a doubly cross-linked microgel (DX MG). Inclusion of a complementary fluorescent dye enabled ratiometric monitoring of gel swelling changes in response to pH via nonradiative resonance energy transfer (NRET). In addition, changes in the CSS nanoparticle emission intensity provided a NIR-only method that could also be used to monitor gel swelling. The gel was able to be imaged using NIR light, after being subcutaneously injected into a tissue model. To demonstrate versatility of our approach, CSS and the dye were included within a model implantable gel (poly(acrylamide/acrylic acid)) and fluorescent detection of swelling investigated. Because the concentrations of the reporting species were too low to affect the mechanical properties, our approach to remote gel imaging and swelling monitoring has good potential for application in injectable gels and implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Shanks
- School
of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Amir H. Milani
- School
of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Dongdong Lu
- School
of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Brian R. Saunders
- School
of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Louise Carney
- School
of Materials, University of Manchester, MSS Tower, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Daman J. Adlam
- Division
of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology,
Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K.
| | - Judith A. Hoyland
- Division
of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology,
Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K.
- NIHR
Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation
Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science
Centre, Manchester, M20 2LR, U.K.
| | - Christopher Blount
- Photon
Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
- School
of Physics & Astronomy, University of
Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Mark Dickinson
- Photon
Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
- School
of Physics & Astronomy, University of
Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, U.K.
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34
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Nishizawa Y, Matsui S, Urayama K, Kureha T, Shibayama M, Uchihashi T, Suzuki D. Non‐Thermoresponsive Decanano‐sized Domains in Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Microspheres Revealed by Temperature‐Controlled High‐Speed Atomic Force Microscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201903483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Nishizawa
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda Nagano 386-8567 Japan
| | - Shusuke Matsui
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda Nagano 386-8567 Japan
| | - Kenji Urayama
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Kyoto Institute of Technology Sakyo-ku Kyoto 606-8585 Japan
| | - Takuma Kureha
- Institute for Solid State PhysicsThe University of Tokyo Kashiwanoha Kashiwa 277-8581 Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Institute for Solid State PhysicsThe University of Tokyo Kashiwanoha Kashiwa 277-8581 Japan
| | - Takayuki Uchihashi
- Department of Physics and Structural Biology Research CenterGraduate School of ScienceNagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku Nagoya Aichi 464-8602 Japan
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems National Institutes of Natural Sciences 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji Okazaki Aichi 444-8787 Japan
| | - Daisuke Suzuki
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda Nagano 386-8567 Japan
- Division of Smart TextilesInstitute for Fiber EngineeringInterdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge ResearchShinshu University 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda Nagano 386-8567 Japan
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35
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Nishizawa Y, Matsui S, Urayama K, Kureha T, Shibayama M, Uchihashi T, Suzuki D. Non-Thermoresponsive Decanano-sized Domains in Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Microspheres Revealed by Temperature-Controlled High-Speed Atomic Force Microscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:8809-8813. [PMID: 31056848 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201903483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Despite the tremendous efforts devoted to the structural analysis of hydrogel microspheres (microgels), many details of their structures remain unclear. Reported in this study is that thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAm)-based microgels exhibit not only the widely accepted core-shell structures, but also inhomogeneous decanano-sized non-thermoresponsive spherical domains within their dense cores, which was revealed by temperature-controlled high-speed atomic force microscopy (TC-HS-AFM). Based on a series of experiments, it is concluded that the non-thermoresponsive domains are characteristic for pNIPAm microgels synthesized by precipitation polymerization, and plausible structures for microgels prepared by other polymerization techniques are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Nishizawa
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Shusuke Matsui
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
| | - Kenji Urayama
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8585, Japan
| | - Takuma Kureha
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, 277-8581, Japan
| | - Takayuki Uchihashi
- Department of Physics and Structural Biology Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8602, Japan.,Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Daisuke Suzuki
- Graduate School of Textile Science & Technology Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan.,Division of Smart Textiles, Institute for Fiber Engineering, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, 3-15-1 Tokida Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan
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