Microgels are macromolecular networks swollen by the solvent they are dissolved in. They are unique systems that are distinctly different from common colloids, such as, e.g., rigid nanoparticles, flexible macromolecules, micelles or vesicles. When swollen, they are soft and have a fuzzy surface with dangling chains and the presence of cross-links provides structural integrity - in contrast to linear and (hyper-) branched polymers. Finally, microgels reveal interface activity without being amphiphilic.<br/>We will discuss properties of microgels attached to surfaces and their response to external stimuli as, e.g. temperature and pH and investigate the influences of chemical functionality and architecture as, e.g., core-shell, hollow and multi-shell hollow microgels. We consider fluid and rigid interface and demonstrate how the properties of soft microgels at fluid interfaces can be employed to prepare highly ordered coatings of solid surfaces.<br/>The structure is probed by means of various imaging techniques as by scanning force microscopy and (super-resolved) fluorescence microscopy. The experimental results will be compared to computer simulations.

Adaptive microgels as versatile coating materials

256th National Meeting (2018)

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