Temperature-sensitive hydrogels, composed of crosslinked networks of temperature-sensitive polymers, have attracted considerable attention in science, engineering, and medicine. We present novel type of autofluorescent microgel particles of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL), a rarely explored biocompatible polymer,  that can reversibly change their volume in response to temperature.  The microgels were produced via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of PVCL-based copolymers and poly(methacrylic acid) onto porous sacrificial templates, followed by chemical cross-linking of PVL into autofluorescent structures. Microgel dimensions, morphology, and properties were controlled by the choice of a sacrificial template, molecular weight of the PVCL copolymer, and LbL deposition time. Our results demonstrate that the PVCL-based microgels offer opportunities for developing novel stimuli-responsive systems as advanced temperature-triggered encapsulation/release devices.

Temperature-responsive multilayer microgels of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)

244th National Meeting (2012)

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