Layer-by-layer adsorption of polyelectrolytes on microgels as soft and porous colloidal substrate

本研究研究了聚电解质多层膜在微凝胶提供的非常规软多孔支撑上的逐层组装。微凝胶，如聚n -异丙基丙烯酰胺（PNIPAM），是热敏材料，在32℃时经历体积相变。这使它们成为药物包封、运输和体内控制释放的潜在候选物。我们基于PNIPAM合成了不同的核壳系统，构成了不同网格尺寸的构建块。挑战在于如何在随温度变化尺寸的衬底上逐层沉积聚电解质多层，从而使聚电解质也能穿透柔软多孔的衬底，通过表面改性赋予新的性能。我们将研究影响形成和生长行为的参数（分子量，电荷密度，盐，离子强度，pH值，温度），并使用各种技术表征底物和多层材料。该项目旨在更好地理解相互作用和物理化学方面的作用，不仅是在柔软和多孔基板上构建的多层内，而且是在层和热敏基板之间。

This proposal investigates the layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers on unconventional soft and porous supports as provided by microgels. Microgels, such as Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), are thermosensitive materials and undergo a volume phase transition temperature at 32°C. This makes them potential candidates for use in drug encapsulation, transport, and controlled release in the body. We synthesise different core-shell systems based on PNIPAM to constitute building blocks of various mesh size. The challenge is to use layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolyte multilayers on a substrate of changing size with temperature, whereby the polyelectrolytes can also penetrate the soft and porous substrate to confer novel properties via surface modification. We shall investigate parameters influencing the formation and growth behaviour (molecular weight, charge density, salt, ionic strength, pH, temperature) and characterise both the substrates and the multilayers using various techniques. The project aims at a better understanding of the interactions and the physico-chemical aspects coming into play not only within the multilayers as build on soft and porous substrates but also between the layer and the thermosensitive substrate.