Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based microgels: I. Fundamental properties of core/shell microgels. II. Assembly and photothermal patterning of microgel colloidal crystals

Part I details the synthesis and characterization of hydrogel nanoparticles (microgels) having a core/shell type morphology. These systems are composed primarily of the environmentally responsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm). Details concerning the physical properties and preparation of core/shell microgels are discussed in Chapters 1 and 2. The thermodynamics of particle volume changes are investigated in Chapter 3. More fundamental studies on these systems are shown in Chapters 4–6, where mechanical interactions between the core and shell components are detailed. Finally, the realization of designing functional materials composed of multi-layered microgels is discussed in Chapter 7.; Part II explores the use of pNIPAm microgels in colloidal crystals. The thermoresponsive nature of the parent polymer permits localized patterning in such materials and allows manipulation of the resultant optical properties. Chapter 8 details the background and procedures for constructing microgel colloidal crystals. A newly developed patterning method via photothermal excitation of co-assembled colloidal Au is detailed in Chapter 9. This method of patterning leads to the creation of microstructures, which are demonstrated in Chapters 10 and 11. Finally, the use of pH-responsive core/shell microgels in colloidal crystal systems is demonstrated by controlling the assembly process in Chapter 12.