Effect of geometrical confinement on structure and volume phase transition of stimuli-responsive microgels at interfaces

该项目的重点是界面上的刺激响应性水凝胶。水凝胶膜由吸附在固体基质上的宏凝胶或微凝胶颗粒组成。首先，必须控制单层和多层膜的制备。典型的薄膜厚度在50到1000纳米之间，这取决于颗粒直径和凝胶层的数量。我们将研究界面上的空间限制对这种水凝胶薄膜结构的影响，以及它们在水环境中的体积转变。在计划的工作中，将主要研究对外界温度和pH敏感的聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)和丙烯酸/甲基丙烯酸的衍生物。这些研究将根据水凝胶和基质的结构和电荷密度进行。此外，我们将把刺激响应特性与分子/离子吸收和释放以及光学传感器特性等功能联系起来。为此，将应用多孔材料/水凝胶和金属/水凝胶组合的纳米复合体系。

The project focuses on stimuli-responsive hydrogels at interfaces. The hydrogel film consists either of a macrogel or of microgel particles adsorbed on a solid substrate. Firstly, the preparation of mono- and multilayers has to be controlled. The typical film thickness is between 50 and 1000 nm, depending on the particle diameter and the number of gel layers. We will study the effect of spatial confinement at the interface on the structure of such hydrogel films and their volume transition against an aqueous environment. In the planned work, mainly derivatives of Poly(N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAM) and acrylic/methacrylic acid will be investigated, which are sensitive to the external temperature and pH, respectively. The studies will be carried out in dependence on the architecture and the charge density of hydrogel and substrate. Furthermore, we will connect stimuli-responsive properties with functions, like molecule/ion up-take and release and optical sensor characteristics. For this purpose nanocomposite systems of porous-material/hydrogel and metal/- hydrogel combinations will be applied.