Reversibly Switchable pH- and Thermoresponsive Core-Shell Nanogels Based on Poly(NiPAAm)-graft-poly(2-carboxyethyl-2-oxazoline)s

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stefan Zschoche - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Juan Carlos Rueda - , Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Author)
  • Marcus Binner - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Hartmut Komber - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Andreas Janke - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Karl-Friedrich Arndt - , Chair of Special Physical Chemistry/Physical Chemistry of Polymers (Author)
  • Stefan Lehmann - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Brigitte Voit - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Amphiphilic graft copolymers with a thermosensitive PNiPAAm backbone and pH-sensitive hydrophilic poly(2-carboxyethyl-2-oxazoline) graft chains are synthesized. In aqueous solution, stable micelle-like aggregates are formed by increasing the temperature in the pH range 4.55.5. The micelles are crosslinked by electron-beam irradiation, yielding stable coreshell nanogels of about 100 nm diameter with reversible thermo- and pH-dependent swelling behavior. The temperature sensitivity is provided by a conformational change in the PNiPAAm core, whereas the thickness of the poly(2-carboxyethyl-2- oxazoline) corona depends on pH. The reversible bisensitivity of core-crosslinked nanogels is verified by DLS, while AFM measurements demonstrate the predicted coreshell structures of the aggregates.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)215-226
Number of pages12
JournalMacromolecular chemistry and physics : MCP
Volume213
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jan 2012
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84856019863
ORCID /0000-0002-4531-691X/work/148607859

Keywords

Keywords

  • Crosslinking, Electron beam irradiation, Micelles, Nanoparticles, Stimuli-sensitive polymers