Durable gelfoams stabilized by compressible nanocomposite microgels

Abstract

Although hydrogel microspheres (microgels) are useful as emulsion stabilizers, typical microgels cannot stabilize foams over a prolonged period of time. Here, we found that compressible nanocomposite microgels with solid nanoparticles...

Nanogel/Microgel Science and Beyond

“…In addition, very recently, we found that robust foams can be formed using nanocomposite microgels as stabilizers (Figure , right). A key to creating robust gel foams is to prepare compressible nanocomposite microgels in which the hydrophobic nanoparticles are located near the surface of the parent microgels . To the best of our knowledge, conventional microgels cannot stabilize foams for more than several hours, but in our case, the foams are stable for at least 10 months.…”

“…A key to creating robust gel foams is to prepare compressible nanocomposite microgels in which the hydrophobic nanoparticles are located near the surface of the parent microgels . To the best of our knowledge, conventional microgels cannot stabilize foams for more than several hours, but in our case, the foams are stable for at least 10 months. It is worth noting that the method to produce nanocomposites is also useful for fundamental research to clarify various unsolved issues related to microgels .…”

“…(c) Compressible nanocomposite microgels that create gel foams exhibiting long-term stability. Reprinted with permission from refs and . Copyright 2019 and 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

Single microgel degradation governed by heterogeneous nanostructures

“…Moreover, because of the size of the colloid, they can respond to external stimuli such as temperature and pH changes quickly. 5,9 Considering these features, microgels promise high potential as molecular separation materials, [11][12][13][14] sensors, 15,16 functional catalysts, [17][18][19] interface stabilizers, [20][21][22] and models for colloidal crystals, 23,24 as well as carriers for DDS. 2 In particular, in order to apply microgels as DDS carriers in the body, they must be able to be metabolized after delivering their cargo, 25 and thus, degradable microgels have been developed.…”

The compression of deformed microgels at an air/water interface

“…, chemical/biological separation, 2 switchable catalysts, 3 colloidal crystals/glasses, 4 biomedical materials, 5 autonomous actuators, 6 and particulate stabilizers. 7…”